Podcast appearances and mentions of Jonathan Freedland

The Matts are joined by author and journalist Jonathan Freedland to discuss his remarkable new book, The Traitor's Circle. It's a forensically-researched historical story of resistance against the Nazis from inside Germany. Written in the style of a classic whodunnit, Freedland has created a thriller that not only sheds new light on the actions of at least some Germans during the war - but also sounds a warning about the state of the world today and the indications that fascism is once more gaining ground. It's a brilliant, engrossing conversation about a brilliant, engrossing book. Enjoy!Buy The Traitor's Circle: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-traitors-circle/jonathan-freedland/9781399813679OFFER: Get The New World for just £1 for the first month. Head to https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/2matts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Watch us on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Teq1Qe9EEyMMeet us at Unholy Live NYC - October 29th, 2025 - https://streicker.nyc/events/unholy-liveFollow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/unholypodJoin our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes, discounts on merch and more: https://bit.ly/UnholyPatreon Order "The Traitors Circle" by Jonathan Freedland - https://www.amazon.com/Traitors-Circle-Resistance-Germany_and-Betrayed/dp/0063373203As America reels from the shocking assassination of the pro-Trump activist and organiser Charlie Kirk, Yonit and Jonathan assess the rising menace of political violence in the U.S. — from toxic rhetoric to loose gun laws. Meanwhile, the region is rocked by Israel's first-ever airstrike on Qatar, raising fears of escalation and fury in the Gulf.Jonathan wears two hats this week — both co-host and guest — as he reflects on the release of his new book The Traitors Circle, which tells an astonishing true story of courage, resistance and betrayal during the Third Reich.Plus: a Chutzpah award that dominates the headlines, and a Mensch nominee whose pronunciation sparks an unexpected debate.

On Wednesday night, Charlie Kirk, an influential rightwing activist and Donald Trump ally, was shot dead at a university campus in Utah. The US president immediately blamed the ‘radical left' but failed to mention rising violence against Democrats. This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to the Guardian's Washington DC bureau chief, David Smith, about the increase in political violence in the country

Quentin Johnson reviews The Traitors Circle by Jonathan Freedland, published by Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand.

Donald Trump wants to change the way Americans vote, promising to introduce measures such as mandatory voter ID and a ban on mail-in voting. But what is his motivation? And what might the consequences be? This week Jonathan Freedland speaks to the Guardian US politics and democracy reporter George Chidi about whether the president could be trying to tip the scales in next year's midterms Send your questions and thoughts to politicsweeklyamerica@theguardian.com

A fight over a redrawing of the congressional map in Texas united Democrats across the country. This week, we hear from the state representative Nicole Collier about why she slept on the House floor for two nights, and Jonathan Freedland speaks to the KQED reporter Marisa Lagos about why the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, sees an opportunity in fighting dirty

This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to the journalist Gil Duran about his upcoming book The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Global Democracy

Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F2anQPufbgJoin our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes, discounts on merch and more: https://bit.ly/UnholyPatreon  After ministers vote to approve the reoccupation of Gaza, tensions erupt between Israel's political leaders and the military establishment. With senior IDF officials voicing unease, the divide between the cabinet and the high command deepens. This week, Jonathan is joined by Channel 11's diplomatic correspondent Suleiman Maswadeh to unpack the political and military implications — and to discuss how the war is likely to shape the Arab vote in Israel's next elections. And we continue our summer tour of the world's Jewish communities with a focus on Australia, courtesy of a conversation with Nomi Kaltmann. Plus: “Locksgate” earns this week's Chutzpah award, while a rare exponent of civility earns the Mensch prize

With a summit in Alaska and national guard troops in DC, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Susan Glasser of the New Yorker about the week that may dent the US president's ‘strongman' image

Donald Trump needed his Maga base to focus on something other than the Jeffrey Epstein files. Enter Sydney Sweeney and the uproar over a jeans advert. This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to politics reporter Amanda Marcotte about ‘cancel culture' being a useful tool in a political crisis

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-GUoFGFz0pgJoin our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes, discounts on merch and more: https://bit.ly/UnholyPatreon Pre-order "Don't Feed the Lion" by Yonit Levi and Bianna Golodryga: https://linktr.ee/DontFeedTheLionDon't forget to follow/subscribe to your favourite podcasting platform! As Israel signals its intent to reoccupy Gaza, the public conversation around the Strip is beginning to shift — but how far, and in which direction? Meanwhile, the battle over the draft bill continues to simmer, exposing deep divisions within Israeli society. This week, Jonathan is joined by New Yorker journalist Ruth Margalit to break down the latest developments on both fronts, and to launch a new series of conversations from across the Jewish world. First up: Ilanit Spinner, a German journalist, reflects on what it means to be Jewish in Germany in 2025 — and how the war is shaping daily life far beyond Israel's borders.

Despite growing pressure to lower interest rates to appease the president, the Federal Reserve voted to leave them unchanged. This week Jonathan Freedland speaks to Heather Boushey, former chief economist to Joe Biden, about the latest tussle between the White House and the Federal Reserve

Watch us on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LjM6XrBB440Don't forget to follow/subscribe to your favourite podcasting platform!Join our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes, discounts on merch and more: https://bit.ly/UnholyPatreonAs the war nears its 22nd month, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens — with harrowing footage of children searching for food sparking growing outrage, even among Israel's staunchest allies. Meanwhile, the Israeli government prepares to push forward a controversial draft bill, fuelling an already volatile political climate. This week, Yonit and Jonathan are joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Thomas Friedman for a wide-ranging conversation on the war, Donald Trump, his thoughts on the man who would be New York mayor: Zohran Mamdani and the question everyone's asking: is there a way out?

Donald Trump has filed another lawsuit against a media company. This time though, he's up against the billionaire media tycoon Rupert Murdoch. Jonathan Freedland speaks to the author of Murdoch's World: The Last of the Old Media Empires, David Folkenflik, about the potential fallout for the president

Donald Trump really wants people to stop talking about Jeffrey Epstein, but his Maga base, including some prominent commentators such as Laura Loomer, want his administration to ‘release the files'. Jonathan Freedland speaks to Ali Breland of the Atlantic about the tricky situation the US president finds himself in

Donald Trump really wants people to stop talking about Jeffrey Epstein, but his Maga base, including some prominent commentators such as Laura Loomer, want his administration to ‘release the files'. Jonathan Freedland speaks to Ali Breland of the Atlantic about the tricky situation the US president finds himself in

Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS News, settled a lawsuit filed against it by Donald Trump for $16m last week. It came after Disney and Meta settled lawsuits with the president in similar ways. Jonathan Freedland speaks to the Guardian US columnist Margaret Sullivan about why these companies are caving to Trump's demands, and whether critics are right to be worried about what this means for the future of a free press

Jonathan Freedland is joined by Eleanor Mueller of Semafor to look at the potential fallout from Donald Trump's tax and spending bill – financially and politically

As Donald Trump deploys more troops to fight protesters in LA, and as plans come together for a military parade in Washington DC on the president's birthday, journalist Judith Levine tells Jonathan Freedland why she believes the US has entered a new era of authoritarianism

As Elon Musk and Donald Trump continue to sling accusations at each other on their social media platforms, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Susan Glasser of the New Yorker about what caused it to all fall apart

Last week Robert F Kennedy Jr, Donald Trump's health chief and a longtime vaccine sceptic, presented a report on children's health by the Make America Healthy Again (Maha) commission. The study singled out the negative impact of vaccines, ultra-processed foods, environmental chemicals, lack of exercise and “over-medicalisation”. This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Jessica Glenza about the long-term implications of the Maha movement's influence on US policy

As scepticism grows over Joe Biden's mental and physical health during his presidency, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Bakari Sellers, a political commentator and former Democratic state lawmaker, about what the party needs to do to regain trust after the fallout from the 2024 election

From a trip to the Middle East to talks between Russia and Ukraine, it's a busy week for Donald Trump and US foreign policy. Jonathan Freedland speaks to the Guardian's global affairs correspondent, Andrew Roth, about the big players behind the US president's deals and decisions on the world stage

Jonathan Freedland and the senior Washington editor of Semafor, Elana Schor, discuss what the US president is choosing to make a priority, and what he's neglecting in return

Unholy is going live in London! Join Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland for a special night of news and great guests: Yuval Noah Harari, Andy Nyman and Mira Awad—live on stage, June 8th 2025. If you've ever wanted to see the podcast come to life, now's your chance. Reserve your seat now via the link—space is limited, and we'd love to see you there! https://bit.ly/UnholyLondonLive Join our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes, discounts on merch and more: https://bit.ly/UnholyPatreonVisiting London or Tel Aviv? We've got special edition T-shirts in the Unholy Store! https://bit.ly/UnholyStoreSocial links and more: https://linktr.ee/unholypodA dramatic — some might say extreme — proposal to escalate the war in Gaza, fresh signs of daylight between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu and an increasingly direct confrontation with Yemen. This week, we turn to military analyst Amos Harel to make sense of what's coming — and the competing forces driving events. Plus: a powerful new art exhibition, a spellbinding new play and an outrageous act of chutzpah. Amos Harel is a prominent Israeli journalist specializing in military and defense affairs. Since 2000, he has served as the military correspondent and defense analyst for Haaretz, one of Israel's leading newspapers. Throughout his career, he has provided in-depth coverage of Israel's security challenges, including conflicts and military operations. Harel co-authored two notable books with Avi Issacharoff: The Seventh War: How We Won and Why We Lost the War with the Palestinians (2004), analyzing the Second Intifada, and 34 Days: Israel, Hezbollah, and the War in Lebanon (2008), examining the 2006 Lebanon War.

To mark his 100th day in office, Donald Trump sat down with the Time journalist Eric Cortellessa, who here speaks to Jonathan Freedland about what he learned from his hour-long interview with the US president

Unholy is going live in London! Join Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland for a special night of news and great guests: Yuval Noah Harari, Andy Nyman and Mira Awad—live on stage, June 8th 2025. If you've ever wanted to see the podcast come to life, now's your chance. Reserve your seat now via the link—space is limited, and we'd love to see you there! https://bit.ly/UnholyLondonLive Join our Patreon community to get access to bonus episodes, discounts on merch and more: https://bit.ly/UnholyPatreonVisiting London or Tel Aviv? We've got special edition T-shirts in the Unholy Store! https://bit.ly/UnholyStore As literal winds of fire sweep across Israel, the country marks its 77th Independence Day. But even in a week that should have offered unity and reflection, the political winds howled as well: a public clash between the head of the Shin Bet and the prime minister came to a head, and internal divisions between left and right spilled over—alarmingly—into acts of violence, even amid the solemnity of Memorial Day.Looking for a note of hope as Israel enters its 78th year, we turned to Eyal Waldman—tech visionary, founder of the Mellanox company which sold to Nvidia for $6.9 billion, and, more recently, a father in mourning. His daughter, Danielle, was murdered at the Nova music festival on October 7th. Eyal speaks candidly about grief, Israel's fracturing political landscape, whether he sees a role for himself in public life—and about the perils and promise of artificial intelligence.And in a special moment: a cameo from the remarkable Emily Damari, who offers a few heartfelt words to our listeners - and a reminder of what binds us.  Unholy is going live in London!Join Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland for a special night of news and surprises—live on stage, June 8th 2025. If you've ever wanted to see the podcast come to life, now's your chance. Reserve your seat now via the link—space is limited, and we'd love to see you there! https://bit.ly/UnholyLondonLive

The US justice department says it did not fire a former pardon attorney, Liz Oyer, after she refused to recommend reinstating Mel Gibson's gun rights. But Oyer tells Jonathan Freedland a different story, one she believes points to a wider crackdown by the Trump administration on the rule of law in America

Unholy is going live in London! Join Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland for a special night of news and great guests: Yuval Noah Harari, Andy Nyman and Mira Awad—live on stage, June 8th 2025. If you've ever wanted to see the podcast come to life, now's your chance. Reserve your seat now via the link—space is limited, and we'd love to see you there! https://bit.ly/UnholyLondonLive Join our Patreon communityVisiting London or Tel Aviv? We've got special edition T-shirts in the Unholy Store!A solemn week for Israel, marked by mourning – and yet politics, as ever, presses on. At the centre: a widening rift between Prime Minister Netanyahu and the head of the Shin Bet, Israel's domestic intelligence agency. In our conversation this week, we widen the lens. Sam Harris – neuroscientist, bestselling author and host of the Making Sense podcast – joins us to talk religion, politics and the elusive art of clear thinking in a time of sound and fury. Plus: our Chutzpah of the Week award goes to those who seem to have forgotten the basic dignity owed to the sick, while our Mensch accolade is shared by two groups standing firm in defence of their values – even when it's hardest.   Sam Harris is a neuroscientist, philosopher, and bestselling author known for his work on ethics, religion, and the human mind. He is the host of the popular podcast Making Sense, and the founder of the Waking Up app, which combines meditation practice with insights from science and philosophy.   Unholy is going live in London!Join Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland for a special night of news and surprises—live on stage, June 8th 2025. If you've ever wanted to see the podcast come to life, now's your chance. Reserve your seat now via the link—space is limited, and we'd love to see you there! https://bit.ly/UnholyLondonLive

This week, Harvard University, the oldest and wealthiest in the US, defied Donald Trump a list of demands. The Trump administration responded by freezing $2.2bn in federal funding for the Ivy League school. This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to the Harvard professor Ryan Enos to consider why the university is pushing back, how far this fight may go and why other universities are watching closely

Unholy is going live in London!Join Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland for a special night of news and surprises—live on stage, June 8th 2025. If you've ever wanted to see the podcast come to life, now's your chance. Reserve your seat now via the link—space is limited, and we'd love to see you there! https://bit.ly/UnholyLondonLive Whether or not you found the Afikoman this year, consider this our Unholy offering for Pesach: a carefully curated collection of six standout moments from the past year's conversations. A kind of audio Seder plate—without the Maror. Yonit and Jonathan revisit conversations with Rachel Maddow, Van Jones, Nas Daily, Aviva Seigel, Alex Edelman and Rabbi Angela Buchdahl. From politics to identity, comedy to community, these voices offer the perspective needed for this moment of reflection and renewal. Rachel MaddowRachel Maddow is the host of The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC, known for her in-depth political analysis. She is also the author of several books, including Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism.Van JonesVan Jones is a political commentator on CNN and served as a special advisor to President Barack Obama. He is also the co-founder of multiple non-profit organisations focused on criminal justice reform and environmental advocacy.Nas Daily (Nuseir Yassin)Nuseir Yassin, known as Nas Daily, is a content creator who rose to prominence through one-minute daily videos showcasing global stories. He is the founder of Nas Company, a platform for digital education and storytelling.Aviva SeigelViva Seigel is an Israeli who was abducted from her home on October 7th and was held in captivity by Hamas in Gaza for 51 days. Her husband, Keith, was abduted as well and was released after 484 days in Gaza. Alex EdelmanAlex Edelman is a stand-up comedian and writer known for his acclaimed solo show Just For Us, which tackles themes of Jewish identity and white nationalism. He has performed on international stages and written for television.Rabbi Angela BuchdahlRabbi Angela Buchdahl is the Senior Rabbi of Central Synagogue in New York City and the first Asian-American ordained as both rabbi and cantor. She is a leading voice in American Judaism and interfaith dialogue. Unholy is going live in London!Join Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland for a special night of news and surprises—live on stage, June 8th 2025. If you've ever wanted to see the podcast come to life, now's your chance. Reserve your seat now via the link—space is limited, and we'd love to see you there! https://bit.ly/UnholyLondonLive

After doubling down on his promise not to pause his latest tariffs, Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause for most countries except China. Why did he change his mind? Jonathan Freedland speaks to James Bennet of the Economist about who might have forced the president's hand, and what could happen next

Unholy is going live in London!Join Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland for a special night of news and surprises—live on stage, June 8th 2025. If you've ever wanted to see the podcast come to life, now's your chance. Reserve your seat now via the link—space is limited, and we'd love to see you there! https://bit.ly/UnholyLondonLiveJoin our Patreon community and get access to exclusive content and more: www.patreon.com/unholypod Social links, Unholy store and more: https://linktr.ee/unholypod---------As Jews around the world are about to celebrate the festival of freedom, 59 Israeli hostages are still held in Gaza for a second consecutive Passover. This week: an exclusive interview with the man who was a lead negotiator of the Israeli hostage task force, retired brigadier General Oren Setter, who gives a rare glimpse behind the curtain of the sensitive, nerve-wracking negotiations.Donald Trump suggests direct talks with Iran, a move that might spell political trouble for Benjamin Netanyahu , chaos in the high court in Jerusalem, and our chutzpah award involves bribing voters with… a Tesla Unholy is going live in London!Join Yonit Levi and Jonathan Freedland for a special night of news and surprises—live on stage, June 8th 2025. If you've ever wanted to see the podcast come to life, now's your chance. Reserve your seat now via the link—space is limited, and we'd love to see you there! https://bit.ly/UnholyLondonLive

In a special episode, Jonathan Freedland and Annie Karni of the New York Times look at what seems to be a long-term question for US politics. With Republicans fighting each other in the House and Senate, and Democrats struggling to command the room, is Congress broken? Annie's new book with Luke Broadwater is called Mad House: How Donald Trump, Maga Mean Girls, a Former Used Car Salesman, a Florida Nepo Baby, and a Man With Rats in His Walls Broke Congress

As Donald Trump and his top officials scrabble to respond to the Signal leak scandal, Jonathan Freedland and the New Yorker's Susan Glasser discuss the fallout of this security breach, and why the US president is attacking the media instead of the people who let a journalist read potentially classified material

This week a Democratic lawmaker became the first to officially call for the senate minority leader, Chuck Schumer, to step down. The veteran Democrat angered many in his party last week when he backed a Republican funding bill that averted a government shutdown. But this is just one example of a party in crisis trying to oppose the Trump administration, with very little power in Congress.This week, we hear from representatives Jamie Raskin of Maryland, Ro Khanna of California, Julie Johnson of Texas, and Maxwell Frost of Florida on how they would like their party to move forward. Plus, Jonathan Freedland asks the senior Democratic strategist Waleed Shahid what the party's strategy should beSend your questions and feedback to politicsweeklyamerica@theguardian.comHelp support the Guardian. Go to theguardian.com/politcspodus

This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Heather Boushey, an economist and former adviser to Joe Biden, about what Donald Trump's long game is with his trade war, and how voters will view his handling of the economy should there be a ‘Trumpcession'Send your questions and feedback to politicsweeklyamerica@theguardian.comHelp support the Guardian by going to theguardian.com/politcspodusListen to Science Weekly's episode on the chaos Trump has unleashed on science

This week, Donald Trump continued to dominate the world stage, welcoming a procession of global leaders to Washington, including Keir Starmer. But while the ‘special relationship' is front and centre in the UK, attention in the US is very much elsewhere. As the president goes full steam ahead with his domestic agenda, there are warning signs for Trump in the polls. So, could he be in trouble at home? And how could the Democrats take advantage? Jonathan Freedland speaks to Stanley Greenberg, the bestselling author, Democratic pollster and political strategist who played a crucial role in the elections of Bill Clinton and Tony Blair

Jonathan Freedland speaks to veteran US diplomat Kurt Volker and the Guardian's US live news editor Chris Michael about Trump's efforts to bring Putin back into the fold You can support the Guardian at theguardian.com/fullstorysupport

In a matter of days, Donald Trump completed the most radical shift in US foreign policy in decades, bringing Putin back into the fold while sidelining Europe. He claims to have brought the end of the war in Ukraine in sight, but with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the rest of Europe excluded from the US-Russia talks, are we really any closer to peace? And, at what price?Jonathan Freedland speaks to veteran US diplomat Kurt Volker, who served as Trump's special representative for Ukraine during his first term, and the Guardian's US live news editor Chris Michael Send your questions and feedback to politicsweeklyamerica@theguardian.com Help support the Guardian by going to theguardian.com/politcspodus

On the first day of his second term in office, Donald Trump suggested he wanted the US to ‘expand' its territory. Few thought he could actually mean taking Canada and making it the 51st state. But could he actually do that? Jonathan Freedland speaks to the reporter Leyland Cecco in Toronto about the possibility of the two North American allies merging, what Canadians think about it, and why this existential threat has had an impact on Canadian national politics Send your questions and feedback to politicsweeklyamerica@theguardian.com Help support the Guardian by going to theguardian.com/politcspodus

Between Donald Trump's suggestion that the US could take control of the Gaza Strip, forcibly removing Palestinians from their homes, and Elon Musk's continued efforts to dismantle the US federal government, the critics are lining up. The Democrat senator Andy Kim is one of them. But what can he, his party, or anybody else do to stop the president and his non-elected billionaire pal? He speaks to Jonathan Freedland

In the first few days of his presidency, people tried to challenge and reason with Donald Trump – suing his administration, questioning his decisions to reporters and pleading to him for mercy. But does Trump care what his critics think? Jonathan Freedland speaks to Susan Glasser of the New Yorker about what we can expect from a leader who goes it alone

The cold forced the speeches indoors but it didn't stop Donald Trump from announcing a flurry of executive orders dismantling much of the work of his predecessor. Jonathan Freedland speaks to the US commentator Molly Jong-Fast about what a virtual declaration of war against an American ally, a promise to “expand America's territory” and a couple of declarations of emergency say about what we can expect from the next four years

After 15 months of war, a ceasefire deal in Gaza has been reached. In his farewell address to the nation, Joe Biden tried to convince the US public that it was just one of many successes he'd had in the White House. But is that how his time in office will be remembered? Jonathan Freedland speaks to the author Franklin Foer about Biden's legacy

This week we learned that Meta is dropping third-party fact-checking, the Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, spiked a cartoon that made fun of him and other tech leaders kneeling before a statue of Donald Trump, and just about all the big Silicon Valley companies are donating $1m to Trump's inauguration fund. Jonathan Freedland and Blake Montgomery look at who will hold the power between big tech and the White House over the next four years

Four years after the 6 January attack on the Capitol, Donald Trump has promised he will pardon hundreds of his supporters who were convicted over their roles in it. This comes after Joe Biden gave an unconditional pardon to his own son, Hunter, for federal crimes of which he had been convicted. This week, Jonathan Freedland speaks to Kimberly Wehle, a constitutional law expert, about whether the presidential pardon has become nothing more than a perk of the job to be used for a president's personal convenience

Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, has died. He was 100 years old. Today, Jonathan Freedland talks to Jimmy Carter's biographer, Jonathan Alter, about why history should look favourably on the peanut farmer turned politician

The US president-elect's ties with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and boxing, as well as World Wrestling Entertainment, might tell us about the kinds of sport he appreciates. But then there's golf …As the US prepares to host the World Cup and the Olympics during Trump's presidency, Jonathan Freedland and Karim Zidan walk through his history with sport to see if it explains more about him

Donald Trump has furiously accused the Labour party of interfering in the US election, calling it ‘far left', after party activists travelled to campaign for his opponent. Jonathan Freedland reports. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus