UnHerd with Freddie Sayers

UnHerd

Freddie Sayers from online magazine UnHerd seeks out top scientists, writers, politicians and thinkers for in-depth interviews to try and help us work out what’s really going on. What started as an inquiry into the pandemic has broadened into a fascinating look at free speech, science, meaning and the ideas shaping our world.

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388 episodes
Updated July 21

Episodes388

Newest first

Jul 31, 2025 · 31 min
Kathleen Stock: Should we morally condemn Bonnie Blue?
Philosopher and UnHerd writer Kathleen Stock joins Freddie Sayers to discuss one of the strangest and most revealing cultural moments of the year: the rise of Bonnie Blue, the OnlyFans pornstar at the heart of a new documentary that's turning heads and raising questions about sexuality, morality, and the future of sex. Stock — a former professor of philosophy, a leading critic of gender ideology, and a regular UnHerd contributor — agreed to watch the Bonnie Blue documentary at a screening and return with her reflections. In this wide-ranging conversation, she and Freddie delve into the deeper meaning behind the phenomenon: What does Bonnie Blue say about us? Is this just porn, or is it something more — a symptom of a culture in moral decline? They explore the lasting wisdom of Roger Scruton, whose warnings about the separation of sex from beauty and meaning now feel prescient. They also consider the implications of the Online Safety Act, censorship, the state's role in regulating sexual content, and whether we’ve lost the language for intimacy, mystery, and erotic imagination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 29, 2025 · 46 min
Lawrence Krauss: The new war on science
Freddie Sayers interviews renowned physicist and author Lawrence Krauss to explore how culture wars and ideological issues threaten science and his new book The War on Science—an anthology of essays from leading scientific thinkers including Jordan Peterson, Richard Dawkins, and Peter Boghossian, examining how academia and scientific institutions are increasingly under siege from within. Krauss lays out how “woke” ideology, DEI policies, and campus cancel culture are eroding the foundations of open inquiry, with contributors offering alarming insights from across disciplines—from medicine and biology to physics and philosophy. He discusses high-profile incidents like the recent antisemitism scandals at Harvard, arguing they reflect a broader intellectual crisis gripping universities. The conversation then shifts to the political backlash, particularly on the American right. With Donald Trump and other conservative figures now sceptical of academia altogether, Krauss raises concerns that the pendulum may be swinging too far the other way—threatening funding, trust in scientific institutions, and the space for real reform. From ideological capture in the lecture hall to political overreach in Washington, Krauss and Sayers dissect what’s driving this war on science, why it matters, and what’s at stake if both sides keep escalating. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 25, 2025 · 43 min
Patrick Christys: Is Britain facing a 'summer of riots'?
Freddie Sayers, UnHerd’s Editor-in-Chief, sits down with Patrick Christys, GB News journalist, fresh from his reporting on the ground in the Calais migrant camps, to probe their volatile dynamics and the escalating UK migration crisis. Christys recounts his experience posing as a migrant to expose how, reportedly, easy it is to contact people smugglers orchestrating illegal Channel crossings, revealing a hostile environment rife with confrontations, a charity he says is allegedly facilitating crossings, and the stark accessibility of trafficking networks, raising urgent concerns about French authorities’ inaction and the role of NGOs in this chaotic situation. Turning to the UK, Christys unpacks the mounting tensions surrounding migrant hotels – with officials calling the situation a “powder keg” and government fearing of a “summer of riots”. With protests flaring, most recently in Epping and Canary Wharf, and public frustration growing over strained resources, he examines the deepening divide fuelled by polarised rhetoric and distrust in political leadership. From Calais camps to British streets, Christys highlights why the migration crisis risks sparking widespread unrest, what’s at stake if tensions erupt, and what can be done to stop it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 18, 2025 · 38 min
Philosopher Todd McGowan: Can Superman save our dying culture?
UnHerd’s Florence Read sits down with Todd McGowan – philosopher, film theorist, and author of Pure Excess, Capitalism and the Commodity – to dissect the new Superman film and its deeper political, philosophical, and psychoanalytic currents. As Hollywood leans heavily on superhero franchises, and remakes and adaptations of all sorts, they question whether Superman embodies a "stuck culture," where studios’ risk-averse, profit-driven strategies stifle cinematic innovation. Todd probes whether this trend signals a decline in bold, original art, contrasting it with the provocative visions of directors like David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, Spike Lee, and Martin Scorsese, the latter of which criticised superhero films as “not cinema”, they explore if genres, like horror, have taken up the mantle, delivering the confrontational, cathartic experiences superhero films often lack. Todd finds merit in the new Superman, praising its execution and thematic depth, and reveals why superhero films reflect broader cultural tensions, what’s at stake for cinema’s future, and whether bold auteurs can still break through the noise. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 17, 2025 · 39 min
Helen Thompson: Rare earths - the next war?
Freddie Sayers, UnHerd’s Editor-in-Chief, sits down with Helen Thompson – Professor of Political Economy at Cambridge University and author of Disorder: Hard Times in the 21st Century – to dive into the high-stakes geopolitics of rare earth elements. As China tightens its grip on the global supply of these critical minerals—vital for everything from electric vehicles to military tech—the West scrambles to catch up. Helen unpacks how China’s dominance, built through strategic foresight and control of refining, has left the US and Europe vulnerable. From trade wars to green energy ambitions, they explore whether the West can break free from China’s chokehold or if a rare earths crisis is looming. Helen reveals why rare earths are the hidden battleground of global power, what’s at stake if the West loses, and whether the moon holds the keys to the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 9, 2025 · 57 min
Michael Tracey: Jeffrey Epstein and the end of the conspiracies
Freddie Sayers, UnHerd’s Editor-in-Chief, interviews journalist Michael Tracey to unpack the recent Jeffrey Epstein files news, and the use and proliferation of conspiracy theories. The Trump administration’s hyped-up promise of explosive Epstein revelations, including a “client list,” has fallen flat. The Department of Justice and FBI now confirm there is now list and Epstein’s death was indeed suicide, pushing back against years of wild speculation. Michael examines whether Trump, JD Vance, Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, and Dan Bongino, naively, or cynically, fuelled Epstein conspiracy theories – namely, that “Epstein didn’t kill himself”, and more – to rally their base, only to now face flak for either hiding the truth or admitting there was nothing to reveal. Freddie and Michael draw parallels with the JFK files, where declassification also disappointed, offering little new insight. Touching on Israel, UFOs, the military industrial complex, they explore how Trump’s administration has leaned into conspiracies for political gain and now faces the fallout when the “truth” underwhelms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 7, 2025 · 39 min
Grindr CEO: Are gays behaving more like straights?
Freddie Sayers, Editor-in-Chief of UnHerd, interviews George Arison, CEO of Grindr, tracing his remarkable journey from growing up in the Soviet Union to leading the world’s largest dating and hookup app for the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. Openly gay, Arison shares insights into his personal life with his partner and family, reflecting on how his background shapes his leadership at Grindr. The conversation dives into Grindr’s pivotal role in transforming the hookup and dating scene for gay men, its ongoing evolution, and its future direction as it adapts to the changing needs of its users, particularly as gay relationships increasingly embrace traditional aspirations like marriage, partnership, and family life. The interview explores the shifting dynamics of gay culture, questioning whether gay men are becoming more conservative in their life goals, seeking settled lives with husbands and children, and how Grindr is responding to these trends. Arison and Sayers also tackle the evolving politics of gay men, contrasting the U.S. and UK landscapes, with a focus on the surprising absence of openly gay Republican elected officials despite strong LGBTQ+ representation within the broader party and voter base. With a humorous nod to the alleged Grindr app crash during the Milwaukee RNC convention—prompting former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg to quip, “Grindr is for Republicans”—they discuss the pro-gay stance of Donald Trump’s administration, potential threats to LGBTQ+ healthcare, and the broader representation of gay men in Western politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 27, 2025 · 47 min
Fiona Hill: The West must wake up
Freddie Sayers, Editor-in-Chief of UnHerd, interviews Dr Fiona Hill, renowned Russia expert and former Senior Director for European and Russian Affairs in the first Trump administration (2017–2019). A senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and Chancellor of Durham University, Dr Hill has advised three U.S. presidents (including George W. Bush and Barack Obama) on foreign policy, and recently guided UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, authoring the UK Strategic Defence Review 2025, shaping UK defence policy and supporting NATO’s increased spending commitments. Dr Hill analyses the ‘12-day war’ between Israel and Iran in June 2025, ended by U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, resulting in a fragile ceasefire. She explores the risks of increasing global nuclear proliferation and the defence ties among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, and debates NATO’s 2025 Hague Summit pledge to raise defence spending to 5% of GDP and Western military preparedness against these threats. Dr Hill and Freddie Sayers examine whether foreign policy is turning more hawkish and realist, ask whether today’s volatile world of hybrid warfare and global instability brings us closer to World War III. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 22, 2025 · 39 min
Pentagon insider Dan Caldwell: How the hawks won
UnHerd’s Freddie Sayers interviews Dan Caldwell about the recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites - Dan is the former senior adviser to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Iraq War veteran, and a leading voice in the “restrainer” faction skeptical of U.S. military overreach in the Middle East. Caldwell’s extensive experience in the Trump administration, where he served as a key defense adviser until he was put on leave and then terminated following an investigation into Pentagon leaks after the ‘Signalgate’ scandal. His insights, recently articulated in his UnHerd article “How the War Could Spin Out of Control,” offer a critical lens on the recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites and their far-reaching implications. In this in-depth conversation, Caldwell breaks down the motivations behind the U.S. strikes, questions whether they achieved their objectives, and evaluates their alignment with America’s interests. He explores the behind-the-scenes dynamics, the risk of escalation into a regional crisis or even World War III, and what Iran and the U.S. might do next—whether Iran will retaliate or seek de-escalation. Drawing on his Marine Corps service and Trump administration tenure, Caldwell provides a sobering analysis of the Middle East’s volatile trajectory and the potential for catastrophic blowback. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 19, 2025 · 48 min
Druid John Michael Greer: Trump, druidry and barbarian politics
UnHerd’s Florence Read sits down with John Michael Greer, prolific author of over 50 books, including The Druidry Handbook, The Long Descent, and The King in Orange, and former Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America. Greer explains what it means to be a Druid today, detailing the spiritual practices rooted in Celtic traditions, including rituals, meditation, and divination, and their connection to the living Earth. They discuss Greer's perspective on the modern world, blending ecology, spirituality, and societal decline. He describes magic as "the politics of the excluded," revealing its role in history and power dynamics. Greer also shares his provocative views on contemporary politics, including speculation on Donald Trump's destiny, suggesting he might follow the path of other transformative U.S. Presidents who died in office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 17, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
DEBATE: John Mearsheimer & Yoram Hazony on Israel vs. Iran
In this two-part UnHerd TV episode, Editor-in-Chief Freddie Sayers delves into the volatile Iran-Israel crisis, presenting contrasting, thought-provoking analyses from two intellectual heavyweights. In Part 1, American International Relations realist theorist and renowned political scientist John Mearsheimer dissects Israel’s strategy as a risky and flawed endeavor, arguing it’s unlikely to succeed in curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and warning that U.S. military involvement would be catastrophic, inadvertently strengthening Russia and China’s geopolitical positions. In Part 2, Israeli-American philosopher and author of The Virtue of Nationalism Yoram Hazony, speaking from Jerusalem, passionately defends Israel’s imperative to decisively block Iran’s nuclear program, asserting it’s both realistic and essential for national survival, while carefully debating the benefits and risks of U.S. support. Subscribe to UnHerd TV for this nuanced exploration of a deeply sensitive and intricate global issue. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 12, 2025 · 1 hr 30 min
Iain McGilchrist & Philip Goff: Is the universe conscious?
In this captivating discussion, Iain and Philip ask what makes us who we are? Are we merely our brains, or does science only capture part of the human story? Is the universe conscious? Dr. Iain McGilchrist, renowned psychiatrist, neuroscience researcher, philosopher, and author of the critically acclaimed The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World, engages in a thought-provoking event at the UnHerd club with Professor Philip Goff, a leading panpsychist philosopher from Durham University and author of Galileo’s Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness. McGilchrist and Goff dive into the intersections of neuroscience, philosophy, and consciousness, exploring the limits of reductionist science, the nature of the self, and the profound implications of their work for understanding the human mind and its place in the cosmos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 10, 2025 · 28 min
Los Angeles: Is the US headed to civil war?
Freddie Sayers interviews reporter and documentary filmmaker Leighton Woodhouse for an on-the-ground account of the LA protests that followed ICE immigration raids. Woodhouse was in the thick of it—witnessing firsthand the violence, the escalation, and the crumbling of the “peaceful protest” narrative that dominated mainstream coverage. In this in-depth interview, he describes what it felt like to stand in the middle of what at times resembled “pre-civil war” more than a political demonstration. What began as outrage over immigration enforcement quickly spiralled into something much more chaotic. Leighton details the street-level reality: smashed windows, street fires, armed standoffs, and moments where the rule of law appeared to vanish. He challenges the media portrayal of events, questions the motives of protest leaders, and unpacks the deeper constitutional implications of what unfolded. Were these protests truly peaceful? Who was escalating the violence—and why? At what point does protest cross into insurrection? Is this unrest contained to Los Angeles and California, or will it spread, and become something more? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 6, 2025 · 18 min
Steve Bannon: Elon Musk should be deported
In this exclusive UnHerd interview, Steve Bannon, former Trump Chief Strategist, host of The War Room, and Elon Musk’s strongest critic, dissects the dramatic rift between President Donald Trump and Musk, sparked by disputes over Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”—a tax-cut and spending package Musk slammed as a “disgusting abomination” for inflating the $36.2 trillion national debt. Bannon brands Musk an “illegal alien”, possibly an agent of the CCP, and calls for his deportation and on Trump to seize SpaceX under the Defense Production Act, while defending Trump’s America First agenda against Musk’s fiscal critiques. With Tesla’s stock dropping ~14% and Musk backpedalling on threats to decommission the Dragon spacecraft, the conversation probes whether this public feud signals the end of the Trump-Musk alliance, a potential MAGA “civil war,” and risks America’s space and economic future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 4, 2025 · 51 min
Kyle Chan: Is this the ‘Chinese century’?
Is China poised to dominate the global economy? UnHerd's Editor-in-Chief, Freddie Sayers, speaks to Kyle Chan, a Princeton University expert on Chinese industrial policy, to unpack the seismic shifts reshaping the U.S.-China economic rivalry, as explored in Chan’s recent New York Times Op-Ed ‘In the Future, China Will Be Dominant. The U.S. Will Be Irrelevant.’ Together, they dive into China’s meteoric rise in high-tech sectors like AI, robotics, and electric vehicles, and dominance in manufacturing output, and aluminium, steel and battery production, and question whether U.S. policies—such as President Trump’s latest tariffs and cuts to research funding—are inadvertently paving the way for a 'Chinese Century'. What are China’s next steps to counter U.S. policies and global trade isolation? Can the U.S. reverse its talent drain and supply chain disruptions to stay competitive? And is the 'Chinese Century' inevitable, or will demographic and economic headwinds derail Beijing’s ambitions? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 29, 2025 · 36 min
Crypto: What are the Trumps up to?
Is Donald Trump cashing in on the crypto craze—or crossing ethical lines? UnHerd’s Freddie Sayers and CoinDesk’s Ben Schiller unpack the Trump family’s sudden crypto conversion and what it means for politics, finance, and ethics. Once a vocal crypto critic, Trump now calls himself a “big fan,” with his family and inner circle making major moves in the digital asset world. Freddie and Ben look at the Trump family’s 60% stake in World Liberty Financial—a $2.2B crypto venture backed by high-profile investors like Justin Sun and Abu Dhabi—and the controversial launch of the $TRUMP memecoin ahead of the 2025 election. Add to that Trump Media’s $2.5B war chest reportedly aimed at a Bitcoin buying spree—are we witnessing smart strategy or something shadier? At Bitcoin2025 in Las Vegas, VP JD Vance pushed pro-Bitcoin policy and stablecoin regulation under the GENIUS Act, while Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump promoted their new crypto platform—pitched as a response to being shut out by traditional banks. With Bitcoin hitting $109K and political memecoins on the rise, is this a financial revolution or just another power grab? From institutional growth to making America the “crypto capital,” what’s next for digital finance and the Trump administration’s role in it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 23, 2025 · 56 min
Yanis Varoufakis & Wolfgang Münchau: The danger of Europe's East-West divide
Is the European Union heading for a slow-motion collapse? In this unfiltered conversation, economist Yanis Varoufakis and journalist Wolfgang Münchau join Freddie Sayers to dive deep into the political and economic forces reshaping Europe—from the rise of populism in Romania and Poland, to the EU's failure to offer a compelling future to Eastern member states. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 21, 2025 · 50 min
Ben Shapiro: The break-up of the Right
Ben Shapiro joins Freddie Sayers for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the American Right. They discuss what Trump has got right — and wrong — in his current tenure, Shapiro’s public criticisms of the president, and his feud with Tucker Carlson. Also on the table: the growing divide on the Right over foreign policy and “America First,” the rise of antisemitism, free speech double standards, and Candace Owens’ exit from The Daily Wire. One of the conservative movement’s most influential voices, Shapiro doesn’t hold back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 19, 2025 · 22 min
Aris Roussinos: The view from Romania
Has the anti-populist backlash already begun? Contributing editor and war reporter Aris Roussinos joins UnHerd from Romania, where he has been witnessing the final stages of a closely fought election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 15, 2025 · 42 min
Sohrab Ahmari: Pope Leo versus the populists
The warmer months are coming. Spring back into your health and fitness: go to lumen.me/UNHERD to get 15% off your Lumen. Freddie Sayers, host of UnHerd, interviews UnHerd’s US Editor and practicing Catholic, Sohrab Ahmari, as they dive into the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope. In this in-depth discussion, Freddie and Sohrab explore who Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost) is, his political and religious background, and the potential global impact of his papacy. They unpack his pre-papal social media posts, including tweets critiquing Donald Trump and JD Vance, and his public stances on key issues like economics, sexual morality, immigration, and climate change. The conversation delves into the significance of his dispute with JD Vance over ordo amoris (the theological concept of ordered love) and what it reveals about his worldview, as well as covering why he chose the name Leo, evoking the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, a pivotal figure in modern Catholic social teaching. Is the new Pope Left or Right, or can he embody a unifying figure for both Liberals and Conservatives? Was he chosen to counter the Trump administration and rising populist movements? What will his papacy mean for the wider political and religious world? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.