In our pop culture roundup: Does the new Dr Strange go a multiverse too far? Reunited Deutsche electro legends xPropaganda join us as our special guests. New albums from sophisticates of seediness Soft Cell and the Smiths you can dance to, Dubstar . And does Mike Myers’ conspiracy comedy The Pentaverate hit the spot? And Katie Puckrik of The Word fame joins the panel too… Hear all the music on our rolling playlists. Spotify : https://bit.ly/CultBunk Tidal : https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea...
May 07, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 590
You may have heard of China’s ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, but what actually is it? And what are Beijing's underlying motivations? Jelena Sofronijevic speaks to Eric Olander, co-founder and managing editor of The China Africa Project, and Raffaello Pantucci , a co-author of Sinostan - China’s Inadvertent Empire , to uncover the truth about Chinese economic investment abroad. “The BRI, in many respects, is like a Rorschach test, where you can see anything you want into it.” - Eric Olander “If you ...
May 05, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 588
With the Tory tractor bogged down in scandal, can diversion tactics help them at the local elections? We look at the latest Westminster sleaze and whether Boris Johnson’s party is set for a reckoning. Plus, we cast an eye to Russia and unexplained explosions amid their invasion of Ukraine. And, with an open call for new emojis – what does our panel think is needed? This week’s guest is Daily Mirror senior political correspondent Rachel Wearmouth . “The expectation management from all parties is ...
May 04, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 588
We assess the latest political rumblings as local elections loom. How will the latest scandals sway public opinion? Will the results be a litmus test of Boris Johnson’s campaigning clout? Plus, certain news outlets’ obsession with Angela Rayner and Keir Starmer, the PM’s upcoming address to Ukrainian parliament and cast an eye to Supreme Court controversy in the United States. Alex Andreou and Yasmeen Serhan tee up the days ahead. “It’s going to be a performance review on both leaders.” – Yasmee...
May 03, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 586
Someone has to pick up the pieces after a disaster. What’s it like to deal with the aftermath of a catastrophe? Siân Pattenden talks to Lucy Easthope about her new memoir When the Dust Settles: Stories of Love, Loss and Hope from an Expert in Disaster . Lucy has been first at the scene of countless major crises over the last twenty years, from 9/11 to the Grenfell fire. She discusses planning for emergencies, and her belief most of the world's tragedies can be prevented. “I'm not letting people ...
May 02, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 585
Ahead of the local elections, we look at the key political battles across Britain. Could a bad set of results force Boris Johnson out? Sir John Curtice, politics professor at the University of Strathclyde and BBC election night expert, joins Ros Taylor to discuss what to keep an eye on, and who the likely winners and losers might be. “Not all of the England is voting, and that is crucial.” “If Boris Johnson had to pick a set of elections to defend, this would be it.” “The Lib Dems principle chal...
May 01, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 584
Our pop culture roundup. This week, time twists in new Apple TV+ thriller Shining Girls with Elizabeth Moss. How hip hop producer J Dilla turned music itself inside out. New cosmic explorations from electronic explorers Röyksopp . And much more. Breakout star of British science fiction Adrian Tchaikovsky is our special guest. Hear all the music on our rolling playlists. Spotify : https://bit.ly/CultBunk Tidal : https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b Start reading ...
Apr 30, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 584
Atrocities in Ukraine have sparked calls to prosecute Vladimir Putin for war crimes. Could that happen? Dr. Maria Varaki , lecturer in international law at King’s College London, talks to Alex Andreou about what constitutes a war crime, and the complex system of international courts that could bring the Russian president to justice. “Civilians have immunity from targeting, but in Ukraine they have been targeted.” “Crimes against humanity can be committed both in peacetime and wartime. This is a ...
Apr 28, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 583
Emmanuel Macron may have defeated Marine Le Pen – but that doesn’t mean France’s far right is finished. Where is the nation headed now? Emile Chabal , author of France , dials in from the country’s south to talk to Ros Taylor about why some Brits are so fascinated by the French President, what’s next for his defeated rivals, and what became of the gilet jaunes protests. “I struggle to imagine a far right in France that isn't attached to the name Le Pen.” “The gilets jaunes movement has evaporate...
Apr 27, 2022•29 min•Season 1Ep. 582
What’s worse about the Mail’s attack on Angela Rayner? The sexism or the clumsy vindictiveness? Plus, Macron squeaks the French presidential election. Should we think twice before ordering Deliveroo? And exactly what sort of country is Britain becoming? Political journalist Moya Lothian-McLean – who’s written for Gal Dem, the New York Times, the BBC, The Guardian and VICE – is our special guest for the week. “If Basic Instinct is your sexytime reference, I mean, come on. I’m getting a strong Ala...
Apr 26, 2022•57 min•Season 1Ep. 581
In France Emmanuel Macron has won again. What challenges will he face in his second term? And what does the result mean for Britain and the rest of Europe? Meanwhile, the UK continues to shirk responsibility over Ukrainian refugees, and the Mail reaches new lows with a disgraceful article about Angela Rayner. Ros Taylor is joined by Arthur Snell to look at the week ahead. “ This is a story about the success of a liberal, internationalist politician in arguably the most important country in Europ...
Apr 25, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 580
Brexit came as a shocking nadir in British politics for many people – but looking back, was it really a surprise? In his latest book, All In It Together: England in the Early 21st Century, historian Alwyn Turner weaves politics and popular culture from the Millennium through to the EU referendum. He talks to Nick Cohen about the UK’s long hangover after Cool Britannia, why UKIP wielded such influence, and the impact of the internet and social media. “Often at the beginning of a century there is ...
Apr 24, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 579
Pop culture polemic with guests folk-pop-chanson visionary Kathryn Williams and journo Jude Rogers, whose new book The Sound Of Being Human shows how music hardwires our brains. Will Russian Doll Season 2 match its timewarping predecessor? Steve Coogan’s Chivalry sails close to the #MeToo wind. Smart female-powered pop from Let’s Eat Grandma … and a lot more Hear all the music on our rolling playlists. Spotify : https://bit.ly/CultBunk Tidal : https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88...
Apr 23, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 578
How do we tackle new international threats from terrorism to forced migration as people flee climate change? Does diplomacy still work? How has big tech changed the game for global security? Former British ambassador, Oxford University Principal, and The Naked Diplomat author Tom Fletcher talks to Arthur Snell about his new book, Ten Survival Skills for a World in Flux … and why old school “maps and chaps” won’t cut it any longer. “The diplomatic system has been orphaned by Trump, and vandalised...
Apr 21, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 577
Priti Patel cements her position as honorary Minister for Outrage while Johnson apologises, but doesn’t, once again. We pick apart the Rwanda asylum scheme and assess the PM’s outrageous display in the Commons. And as the cost of living crisis bites, which streaming services will be first to go? Comedy writer Jason Hazeley is our guest this week. “If everyone had behaved like Downing Street behaved, you’d be looking at another 50,000 people dead.” – Alex Andreou “As more penalty notices pile up,...
Apr 20, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 576
The PM faces a partygate reckoning amid the Rwanda refugee plan backlash. What more Government chaos is due this week? Boris Johnson will be in the Commons for the first time since his fine was confirmed, while Priti Patel is yet again courting controversy. Naomi Smith and Andrew Harrison unpack the latest and tee up the days ahead. “It’s one thing to have attended a party. It’s another to have destroyed evidence about it.” “ Priti Patel is probably pretty close to being reshuffled.” "Sending re...
Apr 19, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 575
The BBC: nest of woke lefty propaganda or tame right-wing mouthpiece? Or something more complex? As the BBC marks its 100th birthday and Nadine Dorries tries to kill off the Licence Fee, Simon Potter – author of This Is The BBC: Entertaining The Nation, Speaking For Britain? – talks to Andrew Harrison about the Corporation’s tangled roots, clouded future, much-contested purpose… and why politicians from left, right and centre always seem to hate it. • “Once you let broadcasting into politics, yo...
Apr 18, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 574
How did Britain come to be one of the largest gambling markets in the world? Rob Davies , investigative journalist and author of Jackpot: How Gambling Conquered Britain , talks to Nick Cohen about how technology, advertising and liberalised laws combined to target some of the most vulnerable in society, the influence of the gambling lobby in British politics, and the urgent reforms the industry needs to make. “ In a world where technology was evolving rapidly, gambling regulation simply wasn ’ t...
Apr 17, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 573
On our pop culture round-up: Special guest Will Young tells us about the art of mind maintenance, a life in pop, and more. Plus hard-bitten Dublin rock’n’roll from Fontaines D.C. , Catherine Tate’s Netflix prison comedy Hard Cell splits the panel, and futurist feminism in new Apple TV+ sci-fi anthology Roar. Journalist Craig McLean of The Face and the Telegraph joins Siân and Alex in The Bunker. Hear all the music on our rolling playlists. Spotify : https://bit.ly/CultBunk Tidal : https://tidal....
Apr 15, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 572
Anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny is the man Vladimir Putin fears most. Now a new documentary tells his story. Director Daniel Roher joins Arthur Snell to discuss his latest film Navalny, which tells the story of one man and his struggle with an authoritarian regime, and what the future holds for Russia and Putin in light of the invasion of Ukraine. “ Navalny ’ s people were just waiting for that knock at the door.” “ How can this guy who does this dangerous work not think about his mortal...
Apr 14, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 571
We live in a culture obsessed with the spectacle of youth. One in five Britons will be over 65 by 2030 – with the fastest-growing age group being the over-85s. What are the implications for us as a country with an increasingly ageing population? What are the issues that need challenging and policies that need changing? And how should we think about ourselves as ageing people? Tim Whitaker , Vice-Chair of Positive Ageing London, talks to Jude Rogers about the future of ageing. “When you're 100, y...
Apr 13, 2022•27 min•Season 1Ep. 570
Is Johnson’s hit job on Sunak distracting from a Tory brand that’s falling apart? Does the West have the stomach for sanctions that will really bite on Russia? New Statesman editor Jason Cowley goes in search of the must mysterious country on Earth: England. And while Channel 4 is still around, what are the C4 programmes we love? Zoe Williams of The Guardian and Justin Quirk join Andrew Harrison for this week’s roundtable Bunker. “ How is it sexist for Akshata Murthy to be asked to pay taxes in ...
Apr 12, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 569
As the far right’s Marine Le Pen runs off against Macron, could France fall to extreme populism? Plus the briefing war against Sunak, Johnson’s photo op visit to Kyiv and Russia resets its war aims. Gavin Esler sets up the week ahead with Andrew Harrison. “ A Le Pen presidency in France would be another victory for Putin.” “The real scandal in British politics is not what is illegal, it’s what is allowed.” “ It is possible that Le Pen could win if the French decide, like America did, that they j...
Apr 11, 2022•20 min•Season 1Ep. 568
Britain now removes more children from their parents than ever before. Is it possible to mend broken families? Polly Curtis , journalist and author of Behind Closed Doors , talks to Ros Taylor about complex factors that lead to families being split up, how the system fails both mothers and fathers, and what can be done to make sure it works for everyone. “We probably all know someone who has had a brush with the social services system.” “A lot of these kids don’t want to be separated, they just ...
Apr 10, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 567
On our pop culture round-up: BBC2’s “genuinely moving” Paul Gascoigne documentary , reggae legend Horace Andy returns, and is Apple TV+ spy drama Slow Horses a Tinker, Tailor for the 21st Century? Teenage Fanclub’s Norman Blake joins us along with legendary beer writer Pete Brown – new book Clubland: How the Working Men’s Club Shaped Britain available for pre-order now. Hear all the music on our rolling playlists. Spotify : https://bit.ly/CultBunk Tidal : https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea75...
Apr 09, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 567
Money makes the world go round, but how does it actually work? With economies across the globe in flux, understanding cash, currencies and crypto has never been more important. Gavin Jackson , lead writer for the Financial Times, joins Ahir Shah to talk about his new book Money in One Lesson: How it Works and Why, which covers the most important questions about money and how it shapes our societies. “Money is something we all believe in, but we’re not entirely sure why.” “We didn’t start with ba...
Apr 07, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 565
For millions of people, social media isn’t a source of entertainment or information, but a way to reinvent themselves. So what if you could stop being a loser of our economic system by winning the internet’s attention? Channel 4 reporter Symeon Brown talks to Justin Quirk about his book Get Rich or Lie Trying , his gripping expose of fraud, exploitation, misogyny, environmental destruction, and the dodgy financial traders of Instagram. “Anyone promising guaranteed returns is almost certainly a s...
Apr 06, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 564
Russia’s withdrawal from some areas of Ukraine has unveiled new depths to the atrocities committed under Putin. With horrific images showing civilians’ bodies in the streets of Bucha, the panel unpacks what will come of these revelations. Plus, we look at how the cost of living crisis is biting those who might have been insulated so far. This week’s guest is The Independent ’s political sketch writer Tom Peck. “All the cards are not in Putin’s hands. Putin has got immense problems.” – Gavin Esle...
Apr 05, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 563
With Russia accused of massacring civilians in Ukraine, we look at the world’s reaction, and what will come next. How can nations push harder to punish Putin? Plus, we unpack the Hungarian election results, with Viktor Orbán having won a fourth term. And back home, partygate continues to rumble on. Alex Andreou and Arthur Snell look at the week ahead. "Billions of Euros are sent to Russia for gas. Banning it would have a huge impact on Russia ’ s economy in the medium term.” – Arthur Snell “ One...
Apr 04, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 562
What is life like for Hong Kong activists detained then forced into exile after daring to defy Beijing? Simon Cheng was imprisoned in 2019, and fled to Britain later that year, establishing the expat group Hongkongers in Britain . He talks to Ros Taylor about his brutal experience in detention, his new life and the threat to democracy in his home city. “Increasingly the younger generation in Hong Kong don’t think they are Chinese.” “Provided the regime isn’t changed, I have no chance of going ba...
Apr 03, 2022•26 min•Season 1Ep. 561
