Oh God, What Now?

Podmasters

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: Guardian writer Rafael Behr • Rachel Cunliffe of the New Statesman • New Statesman columnist Jonn Elledge • 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 • Comedy writer Jason Hazeley • Podmasters Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis • Journalist Marie Le Conte • Writer and commentator Ros Taylor

Oh God, What Now? is a Podmasters production

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763 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes763

Newest first

Yesterday · 1 hr 6 min
Shock as new Labour government… quite good?
Fifteen days in… Is Burnham’s government actually shaping up to be quite good? Impossible to say for certain, but the PM’s policy blitz seems to be landing pretty well, buoyed by Labour’s Greater Manchester mayoral win. Is the Age of Andy working out as well as it seems – and can the momentum last? Plus, following the astonishing scenes of migrants breaking into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta over the weekend, how is Europe’s far-right weaponising it? And Gianni Infantino face open revolt from his own top brass and football associations worldwide after trying to sell off the World Cup. Can he cling on? • Read Martyn Ziegler’s brilliant expose of Gianni Infantino’s machinations before and during the World Cup. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. ESCAPE ROUTES • Raf went to watch Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds supported by Flaming Lips and English Teacher at Brighton’s Preston Park. • Marie decided to rewatch Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves • James has been rewatching noughties legal political drama The Good Wife • Andrew saw downtempo duo The Thievery Corporation live at Camden’s Roundhouse. [Not for Patreon] www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison with James Ball, Marie Le Conte and Rafael Behr. Producer: James Liddell. Audio production: Chris Jones. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune: Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
Friday · 1 hr 9 min
Care vs Scare – Can Burnham get social care past the “Death Tax” die-hards?
Andy Burnham is promising to spend “whatever political capital” he has to fix the crumbling social care system after decades of political failure. As the right-wing press dusts off its “Death Tax” headlines, can he actually do it? Plus… He leads Restore Britain, an openly extreme right party committed to driving non-white people out of the country, and he’s becoming a persistent headache for his former boss Nigel Farage. But who exactly is Rupert Lowe? The panel sizes up the man behind the common-sense cosplay. And in the Extra Bit: the new Euro banknote designs are live, but what would Britain have put forward if we’d ever signed up for the single currency? • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. ESCAPE ROUTES • Andrew watched the Japanese Edo-punk collective Seppuku Pistols live at North London’s New River Studios • Seth hasn’t been able to put down David Crichton’s The Avengers: Death in Downing Street • Jason watched Slice of Life: The American Dream In Former Pizza Huts, which, he says, was “f***ing brilliant” • Zoë went to watch The Odyssey and particularly enjoyed “evil and excellent” Robert Pattinson • Find out if you’re owed on car finance at refundclub.co.uk/OGWN • Refund Club is a trading style of Sandsford Law Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA no. 8008114). Checking is free. A fee is payable only if your claim is successful. Eligibility: car finance taken out in the UK between 2007 and 2021. The average claim is around £829 per agreement; this is an average and not a guarantee of the amount you will receive. You can also claim yourself for free by contacting your lender or the Financial Ombudsman Service. refundclub.co.uk/OGWN www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Zoë Grünewald, with Andrew Harrison, Seth Thévoz and Jason Hazeley. Producer: James Liddell. Audio Production: Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune: Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
July 28 · 1 hr
Burnham Derangement Syndrome
He’s a communist! He wants to drag us back to the 70s! He’s going to tax you to death! He’s weak! He’s a tyrant! He’s gone to war with the South! His jackets are too expensive! Burnham has only been PM for a week and the right-wing press are already losing their minds. Is Burnham Derangement Syndrome stalking what’s left of Fleet Street? Plus: Is letting artificial intelligence do your thinking for you leading people into “cognitive surrender”? We talk about a new survey that unveils the dire consequences of outsourcing your brain to Claude and ChatGPT. • Hear prison reformer Steve Gallant talking to Zoë Grünewald on The Bunker ESCAPE ROUTES • Marie is enjoying sci-fi show Silo on Apple TV+. • Jonn has been reading Hinterlands: Journeys through Europe’s Unfinished Frontiers by Hannah Lucinda Smith. Buy it through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • Raf has been watching Ride Or Die with Hannah Waddingham on Amazon Prime. • Matt went to see The Divine Comedy at the Royal Festival Hall and Daniel Kitson’s new show Thrum. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Matt Green with Marie le Conte, John Elledge and Rafael Behr. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
July 24 · 1 hr 6 min
Can Burnham master the A.I. Revolution? – with the TUC’s Paul Nowak
Burnham arrives promising a “cost of living” government but can he make it happen? And does his mix of ideas and promises add up? TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak returns to the pod to talk about Burnham’s first steps, go to bat for unions in an age of A.I. tumult, make the case for reindustrialisation, and wind up Andrew about Jeff Bezos possibly buying Liverpool FC (Paul’s an Evertonian. So is Andy Burnham. It’s a conspiracy). And in the Extra Bit: What are the little luxuries that our panel and guests spend a bit too much on? • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. ESCAPE ROUTES • Hannah has been reading Women’s Prize for Fiction winner The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. • James recommends the original anime version of Avatar: The Last Airbender. • Paul recommends science fiction epic Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruochhio • Andrew is enjoying domestic robot comedy Ann Droid with Diane Morgan and Sue Johnston on the BBC. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Hannah Fearn and James Ball. Audio Production by Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
July 21 · 28 min
Emergencycast! – Andy Burnham and The Cabinet of Mystery
As ever, politics waited until we finished recording before dropping the big stuff… But worry not! Steve Richards of the Rock & Roll Politics podcast steps up to analyse the surprises, genius moves, curveballs and missing pieces in Andy Burnham’s first cabinet with Andrew Harrison. Should Ed Miliband have been chancellor instead of John Healey? Is this really a purge of Starmerites and a “Night of the Long Eyelashes” as The Mail claims? Are Burnham’s cost-of-living measures actually costed? And does it all fit together? • Catch even more of Steve’s analysis on Rock & Roll Politics • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Steve Richards. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
July 21 · 56 min
Burnham Begins
Brand new PM Andy Burnham is not hanging about. On day one he set about purging Starmer loyalists from the Cabinet and setting out his policy agenda, including fresh cost-of-living measures. Is this the fresh start Labour needs? Listen up for live in-pod sackings! Plus: Are we facing the end of reading? Scrolling through WhatsApp messages, Netflix subtitles and Instagram captions mean we're arguably reading more words than ever – yet book reading has nosedived in recent years. Has the “post-literate” society already arrived? • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. ESCAPE ROUTES • Marie went to watch Christopher Nolan’s latest epic, The Odyssey • Rachel also delved into Greek mythology and has been bingeing Netflix’s Kaos • Jonn is watching spy thriller The Agency on Paramount+ • Seth has been reading Hostel, House and Chambers: Accommodating the Victorian and Edwardian Working Woman www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Seth Thévoz, with Rachel Cunliffe, Jonn Elledge and Marie Le Cont. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
July 17 · 58 min
Coronation Street – What lies waiting for Burnham?
At long last it’s the Rover’s Return… What are the burning issues that will be taking up Andy Burnham’s time when he takes over No.10 next week? OGWN listeners bombard us with questions and we do our best to answer them. What can Burnham do that Starmer couldn’t? Does he need to do more than move stuff to the North? And why did Labour give Starmer a carriage clock, of all things? Plus, Climate of Fear: Kemi Badenoch chooses the hottest moments of our Hell Summer (a period which is actually killing people) to purge Tory MPs who back Net Zero. WTF is she playing at? We look at this terrifying moment and whether the summer’s frightening scenes can push back the tide of climate change denialism. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. ESCAPE ROUTES • Jason bought George Martin: The Scores – the collected musical works of that chap who did The Beatles. • Seth has been watching old episodes of Frasier – specifically S2 E18, The Club, with the 1896 vintage bottle of port. • Ava went to see a series of Scorsese re-runs at the cinema. • Ros has been re-reading Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. Buy through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Jason Hazeley, Seth Thévoz and special guest Ava Santina. Audio Production by: Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
July 14 · 1 hr 4 min
Farage, Reform and the killing of Ann Widdecombe
Counter-terrorism police take over the investigation into the killing of Ann Widdecombe, a crime that has shocked people across the political spectrum. Beyond legitimate questions around political violence, are Reform trying to amp up the fear for political gain? What should people in the public eye say – and what shouldn’t they? Plus… Andy Burnham will finally become Britain’s prime minister this week – the seventh in a decade. Lucky him… he inherits an entire Sue Gray-style s**t list of policy issues. So what might actually be on it? And is there anything Burnham can do to stop his in-tray wrecking his life? • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. ESCAPE ROUTES • Jonn went to the MC Escher exhibition at Somerset House – and couldn't resist a shoutout to the Doctor Who serial, Castrovalva. • Hannah has been reading These Precious Days by the novelist Ann Patchett • Raf has watched L’Amour Ouf – Beating Hearts in English – while on holiday in France • Zoe has been listening to Cameron Winter, the front-man of indie-rock band Geese www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Zoë Grünewald with Jonn Elledge, Hannah Fearn and Rafael Behr. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
July 9 · 1 hr 8 min
Binface vs. the Has-Bin
Nigel Farage wanted a “people vs. the establishment” by-election but it quickly turned into “man vs. bin”. Every major rival has refused to run against him in Clacton, leaving the Reform leader’s only real opponent as the man with a trash can on his head, Count Binface. Is this one humiliation too many for the frog-faced fraud? Plus, Farage may be the front-man but the loudest and most extreme voice behind him is Zia Yusuf. How did the one-time left-winger become Reform’s self-styled “Shadow Home Secretary”? Expert on the far-right Daniel Trilling explains all. And in the Extra Bit: If you threw a sickie last Monday to watch England beat Mexico, you’re not alone. We look at the culture of the sick day around the world. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. ESCAPE ROUTES • Ros has been letting off some steam reading Christian Wolmar’s Fastrack: The Extraordinary Global History of The Race for High Speed Rail • Rachel went to watch Pride at the National Theatre, as Stephen Beresford’s hit moves from screen to stage • Daniel has been reading Keza MacDonald’s Super Nintendo: How One Japanese Company Helped the World Have Fun • Andrew went to see Robyn at the O2 and What the World Needs Now: The Songs of Burt Bacharach with Rumer, Ed Harcourt and Dionne Warwick www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison with Rachel Cunliffe, Ros Taylor and Daniel Trilling. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Tom Taylor. Art direction by James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
July 7 · 24 min
Emergencycast! – Farage opts for by-election martyrdom
Quick-fire reaction to Nigel Farage’s resignation with Jacob Jarvis, Andrew Harrison and Jonn Elledge… For his latest trick, the Reform leader has quit as an MP after weeks of scrutiny over his finances finally caught up with him. In a whingeing speech, teed up hours in advance, Farage triggered a by-election in Clacton and says he’s determined to win it back. Is this a genuine appeal to voters or just a stunt to take the heat off the sleaze inquiry? Above all, what might happen next? • Back us on Patreon – www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis, with Andrew Harrison and Jonn Elledge. Producer: James Liddell. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Oh God What Now? is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 7 · 54 min
Nigel’s Got Money Troubles – Is Farage about to flame out?
After weeks of defending the £5m “gift” that won’t go away, Farage finds himself at the centre of another uncomfortable money story: undeclared finance from a convicted criminal with the unimprovable nickname “Posh George”. And Reform is faltering in the polls. Is Farage becoming a liability to the party that supposedly revolves around him? Plus: The astonishing story of how Trump strong-armed FIFA into suspending the Folarin Balogun red card, thus poisoning the whole World Cup. And as Burnham prepares to inherit a financial nightmare, should he bite the bullet and repeal the pensioners’ Triple Lock? ESCAPE ROUTES • Marie went to see the Olivia Wilde comedy The Invite at the cinema. • Matt has been reading Murder: The Biography by Kate Morgan. • Jonn recommends the Russell T Davies drama Tip Toe, streaming on Channel 4. • Seth has been reading Swiss Watching by Diccon Bewes. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Seth Thévoz with Jonn Elledge, Marie le Conte and Matt Green. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
July 3 · 1 hr 2 min
Manchesterism rave on – Should YOU support Andy Burnham?
Now that the Age of Andy is starting to take shape, will our panel stick their necks out and say they can support the King Half In The North? Is there enough going on here to re-energise Labour voters who were burnt out by the last lacklustre regime? Are Shabana Mahmood and Starmer himself trying to box in the new PM on immigration and defence? And is Burnham really going to be as Left as some think? Plus: In a truly selfless sacrifice, our Seth Thévoz and James Ball go to the Telegraph’s “Big Debate” on “How to make Brexit a success” (!). What wonders and horrors did they witness? And in a special American semiquincentennial Extra Bit, what was the first time our panel visited the USA? And the last? ESCAPE ROUTES • James has been mainlining three World Cup games a day. • Seth has been stalking Sepp Blatter and Gianni Infantino across social media. • Hannah went to see Lily Allen at the O2. • Zoë has been indulging in the Serpentine Lido in London’s Hyde Park. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Zoë Grünewald with Seth Thévoz, Hannah Fearn and James Ball. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
June 30 · 1 hr 3 min
Talking ’bout a Devolution – Will Burnham’s big bet pay off?
Will spreading power throughout the UK be Burnham’s secret weapon? Will “No.10 North” be located at Salford Lads’ Club? And will Britain’s PM in waiting really get ten years at the helm? Plus: from Manchesterism to Trumpism… America turns 250 this week and the vibe feels a bit off. Trump’s flop of a state fair has already been branded “embarrassing” and “sad” with tentfuls of melted ice cream and a cancelled Vanilla Ice. We welcome special guest David Plotz of the Slate Political Gabfest to pick apart Trump’s lacklustre semiquincentennial celebrations… and whether Trump really is losing. • Does the US needs a total reboot once Trump has gone? Find out on Fables of The Reconstruction: How to Fix the USA, a three-part miniseries from The Bunker. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/OhGodWhatNow. ESCAPE ROUTES • Jonn has been hooked on Apple TV’s much-hyped comedy-horror Widow’s Bay. • Ros watched England’s cricketers stumble to a series defeat against New Zealand • David has been gripped by the “soccer” as the World Cup knockouts get underway back home in the US • Andrew might be six years late to season one of space race counterfactual For All Mankind on Apple TV+, but he’s making up for lost time. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Jonn Elledge and Ros Taylor. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
June 26 · 1 hr 5 min
The Mancunian Candidate – Burnham’s northern exposure
What a difference a week makes… Andy Burnham is now number one in a field of one, and planning to move a chunk of No.10 to Manchester. How is Labour adjusting itself to the Age of Andy? Is there more to Burnhamism than just vibes? What about Burnhanomics? And do the people really want a General Election or can they just not face one? Plus: Forgetting all the inexplicable rabid anger about “worst PM ever!!”, was Keir Starmer actually a good Prime Minister or not? We run the rule over his record. And in the Extra Bit for Patreon people, we’ve got three comics on the pod. Was Starmer good or bad for the jokes biz? • This show is sponsored by CarVertical.com - Get 20% off any vehicle history check at ⁠⁠carVertical.com/OhGodWhatNow • Get tickets for Ahir Shah’s next show Golden. ESCAPE ROUTES • Hannah has been listening to the gorgeous dreamscapes of Skying by The Horrors. • Jason went to see the Marilyn Monroe exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. • Matt and his nephew are collecting the M&S Panini football sticker album . • Ahir has been appreciating The Thong Song by Sisqo on many, many levels. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. ⁠ www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Matt Green with Hannah Fearn, Jason Hazeley and Ahir Shah. Audio Production by: Jade Bailey. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
June 23 · 43 min
The Referendum ten years on – Can we escape the vote that broke Britain?
“We voted Brexit and all we got was this lousy podcast…” Ten years since the vote that sent Britain round the bend, could we finally break out of the trap of 2016? We’re joined by the Obi Wan Kenobi of Brexit bloggers Chris Grey to look into the enormity of Pandora’s Referendum. In a world so violently changed from 2016, is there hope for Britain to get back into the EU? Despite populism, are the stars aligning for the UK and the EU? And should anyone serious about reuniting Britain and the EU be talking about joining, not rejoining? As Raf says: “With a bit of political courage we could be in a very different debate.” • Want more on Brexit? Hear friend of the pod Anand Menon on The Reality of Rejoin on the latest Bunker – Apple and Spotify. • Read Chris Grey’s blog Brexit and Brexitism. • Pre-order Jonn’s new book 31 Inventions That Made Our World. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. ESCAPE ROUTES • Jonn has been watching the Russell T. Davies drama Tip Toe. • Raf has been reading Fred Vargas’s The Chalk Circle Man (in French, of course). • Ros has been reading The Charterhouse of Parma by Stendahl and enjoying The Archers podcast. • Chris Grey has been watching vintage spy drama Mr Palfrey of Westminster on the Classic British Telly YouTube channel. 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. • This show is sponsored by CarVertical.com - Get 20% off any vehicle history check at ⁠⁠carVertical.com/OhGodWhatNow⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Jonn Elledge and Rafael Behr. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
June 22 · 40 min
Tears for Keir – How Starmer ran out of road
As we sadly file away that ‘Keep Keir And Carry On’ headline in the bottom drawer… Keir Starmer steps down and our panel look at what the Starmer era really means. Are we now in a world where petty politics will always trump service to country? Why was this decent, vaguely boring man so loathed in the country? Does this public bloodletting help or hinder Labour’s existential battle against Reform? And why can’t Britain hang on to its Prime Ministers? We’re joined by Chris Grey, the don of Brexit bloggers to discuss it all. This is a special two-part split edition, enabling us to get you the Farewell to Keir Starmer portion of the pod as fast as possible. Be here tomorrow as our panel “celebrate” ten years of the Brexit Referendum that pitched Britain into a psychodrama it still can’t escape. • Read Chris Grey’s blog Brexit and Brexitism • Pre-order Jonn’s new book 31 Inventions That Made Our World through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/OhGodWhatNow. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Jonn Elledge and Rafael Behr. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
June 19 · 30 min
Makerfield Emergencycast! – The Andy Man Can
Our fast reaction to Burnham’s victory in Makefield with the don of political commentators Steve Richards of Rock & Roll Politics talking to Andrew Harrison… Andy Burnham is heading back to Westminster after his landslide victory and despite dire warnings of a Reform surge, it wasn’t even close. After an early-morning celebratory pint, is he now on a fast track for the keys to No. 10? Should Keir Starmer fight or throw in the towel? Is Burnham’s coronation now inevitable? How big a blow was it all for Farage, Reform and the even-further-right Restore? Above all, what happens next? • Hear Steve on Rock & Roll Politics. • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/OhGodWhatNow. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Steve Richards. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
June 18 · 1 hr 3 min
From Russia with Hate – Putin’s shadow war comes to Starmer’s door
Surprise, surprise! The arson attacks on properties linked to Keir Starmer turn out to have been instigated by a Russian “diplomat” with a background in information warfare. Who’d have thought it? Has Vladimir Putin’s shadow war finally crossed the line? Plus: Wes Streeting wants to scrap the ban on new fossil fuel production. The Greens are looking less green. The Lib Dems appear indifferent. And don’t get us started on Reform’s Richard Tice… So, is Ed Miliband the last true defender of net zero left standing? Special guest Sam Bright of Desmog talks us through the battle over clean energy. And in the Extra Bit, our panellists reveal their moments of meaningless happiness as an antidote to the doom and gloom. • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/OhGodWhatNow. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. • Read Sam’s Substack and latest DeSmog articles ESCAPE ROUTES • Rachel has been listening to Steven Mangan and his sister Anita on the BBC’s Siblings Unpicked podcast • James has been playing a remake of the retro video game Final Fantasy VII • Sam has been dipping into England vs. New Zealand in the second test (between investigations) • Matt has been binging Shrinking, the Apple TV’s hit from the makers of Ted Lasso on Apple TV+. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Matt Green with Rachel Cunliffe, James Ball and Sam Bright. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
June 16 · 1 hr 1 min
TikTok You Don't Stop – Labour vs social media with Bridget Phillipson MP
Labour surprises everyone with a ban on Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X for the under-16. Critics say the “Australia Plus” regime is riddled with contradictions. Will it work, is it fair or is it just Starmer trying to look tough ahead of the Makerfield by-election? Andrew Harrison puts Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson on the spot and then our panel dig into the detail. Plus, the defence row and the resignations of John Healey and ex-Armed Forces Minister Al Carns continue to rock Labour. Could they derail Andy Burnham’s plans to get back into Westminster? • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. ESCAPE ROUTES • Hannah went to the Inside Aardman: Wallace & Gromit and Friends exhibition at the Young V&A • Marie just finished Joseph Roth’s classic The Radetzky March • Jonn has been reading the first in Patt Barker’s acclaimed Regeneration trilogy • Seth took a pit stop at the iconic Literary and Philosophical Society during a trip to Newcastle www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Seth Thévoz with Marie le Conte, Hannah Fearn and Jonn Elledge. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production by Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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
June 12 · 1 hr 3 min
Belfast and the Far-Right – The Bottomless Buffet of Bullshit
What’s more revolting? The racist pogrom against innocent families in Belfast? Or the way the far-right is again using a violent attack to claim that every immigrant – legal or illegal – is a threat to the country? Our panel looks at how indulging the “legitimate concerns” mindset leads to kids being burned out of their homes. Plus we answer your questions in our new monthly-ish But Your Emails special. And in the Extra Bit for Patreon people: do progressive protestors need to up their banner game? • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk. ESCAPE ROUTES • Jason has been reading A.I. by Belgian comedian Lieven Schiere • Seth saw Churchill’s Urinal starring friend of the pod Rosie Holt at the King’s Head Theatre, Islington. You’ve missed it, but it’s on in Edinburgh in August. • Zöe enjoyed Look What You Made Me Do by John Lanchester. • Andrew has been listening to Inferno by Boards Of Canada www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Zöe Grünewald, Seth Thévoz and Jason Hazeley. Audio Production by Tom Taylor. Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Tom Taylor and Simon Williams. 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