These Times - podcast cover

These Times

UnHerdunherd.com

UnHerd political editor Tom McTague and Cambridge professor Helen Thompson team up to investigate the history of today’s politics — and what it means for our future. Each week they will explore the great forces, ideas and events that led us to where we are, whether in Britain, the United States, Europe or beyond. It’s a politics podcast for those who want a deeper, historical understanding of the news, to understand what has really shaped our world and why. We hope you enjoy! Don’t forget to rate, like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts — and, of course, to get in touch with all your questions and comments so we can respond in future episodes.


Email us at thesetimes@unherd.com or tweet us at @thesetimespod


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

Can Europe Survive Trump?

Following on from the previous episode, this week, Tom and Helen expand even further on the topic of Europe and its dependance on the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 04, 202552 minTranscript available on Metacast

Europe’s Trump Shock

This week, Tom and Helen discuss what Donald Trump's presidency means for Europe, historically, after his revealing first week in office. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 28, 20251 hr 3 minEp 121Transcript available on Metacast

Why The Oligarchs Now Back Trump

This week, Tom and Helen delve into Joe Biden's farewell address, why he warned of a new tech oligarchy and the possible new epoch in American politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 21, 20251 hr 2 minEp 120Transcript available on Metacast

Why Trump Wants Greenland (and more)

This week, Tom and Helen delve into Donald Trump's open attempt to annex Greenland, retake the Panama Canal, and seduce Canada into joining the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 14, 20251 hr 12 minEp 119Transcript available on Metacast

Who is Elon Musk?

For the first episode of 2025, Tom and Helen take a deep dive into the life and worldview of the world's richest man; who is Elon Musk, what does he believe - and what does he want? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 07, 20251 hr 8 minEp 118Transcript available on Metacast

The Year of War, Donald Trump and an Ascendant Turkey

On the final episode of the year, Tom and Helen reflect on the events of 2024 and how they may effect the geopolitical future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 31, 202456 minEp 117Transcript available on Metacast

The Year British Politics Hollowed Out

For our Christmas special episode Tom and Helen take a look back at the state of British politics this year and ask the question - Is British politics unravelling? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 24, 202456 minEp 116Transcript available on Metacast

Can Syria Survive?

This week Tom and Helen return to the extraordinary situation in Syria and question whether it's really possible to have a unified Syrian state. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 17, 20241 hr 4 minEp 115Transcript available on Metacast

Revolution in Syria

The Economist's Defence Editor Shashank Joshi joins Tom and Helen for an early episode this week to discuss how the Assad regime fell so rapidly and what this means for Syria and the world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 09, 202448 minEp 113Transcript available on Metacast

Starmer adrift: What future for British politics?

This week on the podcast Helen and Tom explore why Keir Starmer's government has come so far adrift so quickly and what this means for the future of British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 03, 20241 hr 3 minEp 112Transcript available on Metacast

Putin escalates: The threat of World War Three

In this week's episode Tom and Helen explore the recent military escalation over Ukraine and what this might mean for the current geopolitical world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 26, 202459 minEp 111Transcript available on Metacast

Donald Trump: Peacemaker President?

Following Joe Biden's controversial decision over the weekend to authorise Ukrainian forces to fire American missiles deep into Russia itself, Tom and Helen explore what a Trump presidency means for war and peace across the world, not just in Ukraine, but in China, the Middle East and the border with Mexico... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Nov 19, 20241 hrEp 110Transcript available on Metacast

Is Pop Culture Right Wing?

Donald Trump won the podcast battle by appearing on the shows of right-leaning stars like Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman and Theo Von. On the other hand, Kamala Harris went on the 'Call Her Daddy' podcast. Tom is joined in the studio by James Marriott to discuss the decline of liberal dominance in the world of popular culture, from The Rest is History, to Batman the Dark Knight... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Nov 14, 202457 minEp 109Transcript available on Metacast

What Trump Means: Musk and Mars, Germany and Ukraine

What awaits Europe after Donald Trump's second coming? Will it mark the end of the war in Ukraine or the end of America's defence of Europe? What role does Elon Musk have to play? From the China trade war to space travel, Tom and Helen bring it all into focus... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 12, 20241 hr 2 minEp 108Transcript available on Metacast

Donald Trump: The Sequel

As the dust begins to settle in the US, Tom is is joined by Emily Jashinsky, host of Undercurrents, to discuss Trump's great American triumph and the existential disaster facing the Democrats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 07, 202437 minEp 107Transcript available on Metacast

US Election Special: What's Wrong with American Politics?

As the US goes to the polls, Tom and Helen look back at the last decades of US politics and ask why the current moment, of Trump vs Harris, feels so much more polarised than ever... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 05, 20241 hrEp 106Transcript available on Metacast

Kemi Badenoch: On Race, Empire and Roger Scruton

Tom McTague sits down with the controversial Tory firebrand Kemi Badenoch to talk about immigration, being a black Tory politician and why she is the right person to lead the opposition... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 30, 202446 minEp 105Transcript available on Metacast

Israel Attacks Iran

After four weeks, Israel's anticipated revenge attack on Iran was complete. Missiles launched at Iranian missile targets from Israel threatened even more escalation. Tom and Helen dive into the details of what occurred and what the ramifications might be for the region and the wider world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 29, 20241 hr 3 minEp 104Transcript available on Metacast

These Times Live: The Most Important Election in Modern History

On 5 November, the American people will go to the polls in what may prove to be the most important election in modern history. From Ukraine to Taiwan, the world is watching with bated breath. Tom and Helen explore these topics in a special These Times live recording, and analyse how both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump could redefine the geopolitical fault lines shaping our world... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 23, 20241 hr 6 minEp 103Transcript available on Metacast

Wanted: Europe’s Missing Leader

With soaring deficits, immigration debates, and a flock of North Korean soldiers arriving in Ukraine to fight alongside Russia, the continent feels adrift. Tom and Helen explore who can really lead Europe out of crisis... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 22, 20241 hr 3 minEp 102Transcript available on Metacast

100 Days of Starmer: The Ghosts of British Politics

With Keir Starmer's approval ratings at an all-time low and the Tory leadership race staggering to an exhaustive conclusion, Tom and Helen ask why Britain's two main political parties are so useless without any apparent political strategy. Does the ghost of Margaret Thatcher have anything to do with it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Oct 14, 20241 hr 5 minEp 101Transcript available on Metacast

Israel Prepares to Strike Iran

For our 100th episode, we remain in the Middle East. Israel has just relocated a battalion from Gaza to Lebanon. The anniversary of October 7th has heightened the already feverish tension in the region. Lebanon endures heavy assault, and Israel prepares its retaliation against Iran; Helen Thompson and Tom McTage delve into the developing crisis and explore why oil is so essential… Please join us for our live show in Westminster. Tickets below https://club.unherd.com/event/these-times-us-election...

Oct 07, 202458 minEp 100Transcript available on Metacast

Why Nasrallah’s Death Changes Everything

Hezbollah are in disarray. Their leadership is decapitated, and Israeli troops amass at the border. Iran has vowed revenge. In this week's episode, Tom and Helen explore what the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah means for the crisis in the Middle East... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 30, 20241 hrEp 99Transcript available on Metacast

Tom Tugendhat: The Outside Bet?

Tom chats with Tory leadership hopeful Tom Tugendhat about his personal and political philosophies and what is so egregious about Keir Starmer as PM... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 26, 202448 minEp 98Transcript available on Metacast

Labour's Crisis Conference?

In this special episode, These Times heads to Liverpool to delve into Starmer's reset of the Labour Party. Are Labour in crisis, or is Kier just getting started? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 25, 202444 minEp 97Transcript available on Metacast

Hezbollah & Israel: Lebanon Stares into the Abyss

After an astonishing week in the Middle East, Tom and Helen delve into the rapidly escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Why has Netanyahu chosen to intensify Israel's attacks on Hezbollah, and what happens to Lebanon now? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 23, 20241 hrEp 96Transcript available on Metacast

Robert Jenrick: The Next Tory Leader?

Tom chats to Robert Jenrick, the supposed front-runner in the race to become the next leader of the Conservative Party, about his leadership credentials, Margaret Thatcher, and the issue of immigration... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 19, 202453 minEp 95Transcript available on Metacast

The Franco-German Crisis: Budgets and Borders Haunt Macron and Scholz

After former central bank president Mario Draghi reported that the EU has to invest 800 billion euros a year to compete with the US and China, Tom and Helen, turn to the crises in France and Germany and explore why politics has become so much harder for the two European powerhouses… Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Sep 17, 20241 hr 3 minEp 94Transcript available on Metacast

The Truth About Churchill and WWII: Rebuking Tucker Carlson and Darryl Cooper

After a controversial interview between Tucker Carlson and Darryl Cooper, in which Cooper claimed Churchill was, in fact, the villain of WWII, Tom talked to Churchill expert Andrew Roberts to explore the true political and personal history of Sir Winston Churchill from the British Empire to the beaches of Normandy.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Sep 11, 202451 minEp 93Transcript available on Metacast