Podcasts about podmasters

The first of our occasional weekend bonus episodes… Bewildered by the tangled stories of Putin's war on Ukraine, Trump's incomprehensible loyalty to the Russian tyrant, and Russia's interference in British politics? The Guardian's foreign correspondent Luke Harding ties all the threads together in his riveting new book Betrayed: Trump, Putin And The New Age Of Conquest – laying bare how thoroughly Putin played Trump and the enormity of what has happened to our old world of rules.   He talks to Andrew Harrison about the big picture that daily news misses, the return of Great Power politics, and whether Donald Trump really is a Russian asset.   • Buy Luke's book Betrayal: Trump, Putin and The New Age of Conquest from 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.   • Photo: Trump greets Putin on the tarmac in Anchorage, Alaska on August 15 2025. (Photo by Kremlin Press Service / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)  Support us on Patreon - www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow  Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. 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. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.  www.podmasters.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Good news for newsrooms: Harry and Meghan are back in Britain and editors are beside themselves. We might say we don't care about “Reverse Megxit” but why does the clickrate say otherwise? Plus: Giftgate was only two years ago, but MPs are still accepting freebies. They've taken almost £400,000 of hospitality this year alone – including tickets to Harry Styles and the F1. But is that necessarily so bad? Are freebies a serious conflict of interest or do we just want politicians to live in a hair shirt? And in the Extra Bit: people are queuing to take photos at beauty spots – are we all just compliant sheep who need to get over our strangling cultural traditions? • Get up to £350 off the Eight Sleep Pod 5 here with the code OGWN • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk.  ESCAPE ROUTES • Marie went to watch Tony, the biopic about the late rockstar chef-turned-broadcaster Anthony Bourdain • Seth watched 60's crime thriller Cash on Demand – like a “noirish bank heist version” of Dickens ' A Christmas Carol • Rachel hasn't been able to put down Jon Ronson's new book The Castle: Adventures in a World of Unravelling Men • Ros has begun watching supernatural French drama Sea Shadows (or Rivages in French) www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Marie Le Conte, Rachel Cunliffe and Seth Thévoz. 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. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A new four-part series from This Is Not A Drill… Putin thought he could conquer Ukraine with a tank, air and infantry-led attack straight out of the Second World War. Instead Kyiv turned the tables on Russia with the fastest, most intensive transformation of warfare in half a century. In this mini-series Gavin Esler explores this new generation of weapons and how they'll fight – or prevent – the next wars. This time: cheap, mass-produced drones enabled Kyiv to hit Russia hard and deep. Ukraine is now the world expert in this new technology. What does it mean when you can take out a warship with a weapon that costs less than a family car? What is “precision mass”? And why A.I. will make drones even more powerful. Gavin Esler talks to: • Illya Sekirin, former frontline drone operator for Ukraine and author of Rise of the Machines: Drone Warfare in the Russia-Ukraine War • Michael Horowitz, Senior Fellow for Technology and Innovation at the Council on Foreign Relations • Peter Apps, global defence columnist for Reuters, British Army reservist and author of The Next World War • Major General (Ret.) Mick Ryan of the Australian Army, author of The War for Ukraine and the Futura Doctrina Substack Buy books through our affiliate bookshop and you'll help fund This Is Not A Drill by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org's fees help support independent bookshops too. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is communism having a mini revival? Marxist critiques and socialist ideas are becoming the in thing with Gen Z, while Donald Trump is harking back to the Red Scare of his youth to attack the Democrats. Is it anything more than a resurrected bogeyman for the right? Man of the left, veteran journalist and friend of the pod Paul Mason joins the panel to discuss Reds: A Global History of Communism, his sweeping new history of the movement. Plus: Andy Burnham heads to Ukraine with missile plans in hand, Reform's bullshit policy of the week and much, much more.   • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk.  • Buy Paul's book Reds: A Global History of Communism from 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. ESCAPE ROUTES • Zoë has started watching award-winning medical drama The Pitt • Jonn has been watching the BBC murder mystery Ludwig • Paul went to watch Adrian Lester star as the titular character in Cyrano de Bergerac at the Noël Coward Theatre in London's West End • Andrew has been bingeing the late '70s British fantasy TV hit Sapphire and Steel www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison with Zoë Grünewald, Jonn Elledge and Paul Mason. 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. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The climate crisis got horribly real this summer – but is it really true that ordinary people can't do anything about it? The National Emergency Briefing is a growing movement around a stunning documentary film that makes clear the reality of the crisis and what we CAN do about it. Green economist Angela Francis joins us to explain where the fight for a liveable climate is heading; how to beat the  Reform angle that it's just too expensive so we might as well not bother; and bring surprisingly good news about tech, investment and the coming battery.  Plus, house prices are falling (in some places), ULEZ is working, and Donald Trump decides North Korea is his favourite Korea. Well, it can't all be good news. • Find a screening of the National Emergency Briefing here and if there isn't one near you, you can request one.  ESCAPE ROUTES • Hannah went to see Jimmy Eat World and Rise Against at Crystal Palace Bowl.  • Jason has been enjoying the podcast Kevin Eldon's Speakers   • Angela has been reading How To Lose A Country by Ece Temelkuran and finally watching Call My Agent on Netflix.  • Matt watched Spider-Man: Brand New Day.  Buy books 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.  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Matt Green with Hannah Fearn 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

Space is now an essential part of military planning and operations. Recent reports suggest Russia and China have discussed targeting Starlink satellites, highlighting their increasing importance in conflicts.  Are ‘space wars' no longer science fiction but part of military planning? Joining Gavin Esler to discuss the implications and the dangers of this new potential battleground is Dr Mark Hilborne, senior lecturer in the School of Security Studies at King's College London.  • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not a Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The shocking death of former Cambridge University professor Jason Arday raises serious questions about the press investigation of his career and the claims he made about his life. Some blame the right-wing press for his death, others the university. Some blame the litany of racist and abusive messages Arday received online. Where should responsibility lie? Plus, Andy Burnham is clearly more comfortable navigating today's online world than Keir Starmer. But does he fully grasp the forces he's up against? Are Russia, China and malign actors closer to home “flooding the zone” with disinformation to drown out the truth? Former senior UK government adviser-turned disinformation analyst Amil Khan joins the panel to dissect the information war that Burnham faces. • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk.  ESCAPE ROUTES • James has been playing the strategy video game Civilisation VII • Marie is in the middle of Pereira Maintains by Italian writer and academic Antonio Tabucchi.  • Amil has been reading Beer in the Snooker Club by Egyptian writer Waguih Ghali.  • Seth watched David Lean's 1970 epic Ryan's Daughter 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. www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Seth Thévoz with James Ball, Marie Le Conte and Amil Khan. 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

Fast analysis of the Clacton by-election with Steve Richards and Andrew Harrison. Two and half cheers for plucky underdog Nigel Farage who defeated the “establishment” candidate Count Binface in a by-election of his own making. And in the end, he didn't even bother to show up to claim his victory… Now the stunt is over, the parliamentary standards watchdog is back investigating Farage's £5m “gift” from a crypto billionaire. So was this entire exercise completely futile? Could Farage's own gambit come back to bite him? And with his – and Reform's – polling slipping, has the tide finally turned? • Buy tickets for Steve's 14-day Rock & Roll Politics run at the Edinburgh Fringe • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk.  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison with Steve Richards. Produced by James Liddell. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Art direction: 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

As Russian casualties mount in brutal frontline assaults on Ukraine, Putin's recruitment is growing ever more desperate. With international sanctions biting and Ukraine's own campaigns targeting critical Russian infrastructure - can Putin sustain his war? Can he find the manpower – or can he afford it? To discuss the latest from Russia, Gavin Esler is joined by Dr Nigel Gould-Davies, senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Barring a bin-shaped asteroid strike on the Essex Coast, Nigel Farage will win the Clacton by-election – but his problems won't be over. What will Reform's slippery leader face in the months to come? And can, should, would his party strike a deal with either Restore or the Conservatives? Plus our special guest, journalist Rachel Wearmouth, has the date of the next General Election, for real! And we answer a wealth of YOUR questions in a But Your Emails special.  • Get up to £350 off the Eight Sleep Pod 5 here with the code OGWN.  • Don't miss the Clacton By-Election Emergencycast on Friday 14 August.  • Order the unofficial Count Binface comic here • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk.  ESCAPE ROUTES • Rachel has been watching the Disney+ crime thriller Furious   • Seth has been re-watching classic psychedelic '60s spy show The Prisoner.  • Jason played Steve Reich's Music For 18 Musicians with Paraorchestra and Charles Hazlewood and you can hear it on BBC Sounds   • Andrew has been listening to the Richard Norris remixes collection Re-Make: Re-Model www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow  Presented by Andrew Harrison with 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

No drinking pints standing up in London's nightlife hotspot? No new reservoirs until 2040? Welcome to Veto Britain – where infrastructure, housing and even a round at the bar are all subject to the mercy of endless local objection. So how did we become a country that seems incapable of building, changing or enjoying itself anymore? Plus, racist disorder erupts in Norfolk, scrutiny of Andy Burnham's early prisoner release plan intensifies and the PM's crackdown on “subscription traps” gives cancel culture a whole new meaning.  • Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk.  ESCAPE ROUTES • Jonn finally watched Stephen Fry and Mark Carwardine's documentary Last Chance to See, based on Carwardine and Douglas Adams' book and radio series of the same name • Rachel has been reading Virgil's epic The Aeneid – “the Roman response to Homer,” she says. • Raf saw a production of Molière's Tartuffe while in France which is coming to the Marylebone Theatre next month.  • Zoë zoomed through Jem Calder's I Want You to Be Happy Image: Cartoon depicting Sir Wilfrid Lawson, 2nd Baronet of Brayton (1829-1906), an English temperance campaigner and radical, anti-imperialist Liberal Party politician. Dated 19th Century. No idea who the bloke on the right is. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Zoë Grünewald, with Rachel Cunliffe, Jonn Elledge and Rafael Behr. Produced by James Liddell. Audio Production: 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

Larry Ellison is one of the most prominent tech billionaires of the moment. Jeff Jarvis, author of the BuzzMachine blog, joins Jarv to discuss how he built his business in the first place and why his influence on the media is so concerning.    Buy Hot Type through our affiliate bookshop and you'll help fund American Friction by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org's fees help support independent bookshops too.  Back us on Patreon!   Follow us on social media:   Bluesky : https://bsky.app/profile/americanfric.bsky.social   Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/americanfric   TikTok : https://www.tiktok.com/@americanfric   Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Audio and video editor: Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. AMERICAN FRICTION is a Podmasters Production.  www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The earth is burning, Britain is parched brown and rain is a distant memory. Yet the Tories are purging the last of their Net Zero advocates, the Greens seem to have lost interest in green policies, and Burnham's Labour are teetering on the edge of reopening oil and gas in the North Sea. Saving the planet is just so expensive! What will it take to get British politicians to take the climate emergency seriously?   Plus, will the real Kemi Badenoch please sit down? The current and quite possibly final leader of the Conservative Party stood by convicted neo-Nazi Joshua Bonehill-Paine as a local council candidate (he withdraws right in the middle of this recording). So how come the commentariat is convinced of the “Keminaissance”?  ESCAPE ROUTES: • Zoë has been reading Slags by Emma Jane Unsworth.  • Seth has been to Bayreuth for the Festival (hurry, it's still on). • Ros got a preview copy of Deep Into The Sixties: Britain 1965–66 by David Kynaston • Rachel has been reading Pagans by James Alistair Henry. Questions for But Your Emails? Thoughts? Comments? Email us at ogwn@podmasters.co.uk.  • 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 Ros Taylor with Zoë Grünewald, Rachel Cunliffe and Seth Thévoz. Audio Production by Chris Jones. 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

The $2.6 trillion spent on artificial intelligence, data centres and advanced chipmaking dwarfs the cost of previous infrastructure megaprojects. Yet AI has become a money pit for tech giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Meta, and the tech is failing to hit its stratospheric targets. Could an AI crash take overinvested economies down with it? In the longer term, whose approach will dominate? Will it be the US's private-led model with tech giants at the top? Or China's tactic of spreading low-cost AI throughout the Global South, with an eye on dominating the future? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Alex Krasodomski, director of Chatham House's Digital Society Programme; James Kynge, a senior research fellow for China and the World with the Asia-Pacific Programme; and Creon Butler, director of the Global Economy and Finance Programme. Produced by Podmasters, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | What the UK should learn from Kimi K3, WAICO and the Hugging Face incident Comment | What the UK government should do on AI and tech policy Research paper | Breaking the deadlock on AI governance Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing

Donald Trump's failing war on Iran has emboldened China. Beijing is trying to build relationships to counter Washington, as it looks to fill a vacuum in power globally left by the United States as it shifts its geopolitical strategy. Gavin Esler is joined by Ryan Hass, director of the John L. Thornton China Center at Brookings, to discuss how China is trying to capitalise on America's failings.  • Find out if you're owed on car finance at refundclub.co.uk/drill • 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/drill • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this.    Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

Ukraine's drone strikes deep into Russian territory coincided with one of Kyiv's biggest political and military convulsions of the war: Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy fired the popular defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov only for his decision to spark protests across the country. Why did Zelenskyy do it? Has the power struggle damaged his authority? Is Ukraine really regaining the initiative in the war? And what will it take to force Russia to the negotiating table? John Lough examines the potential turning point in the war with Vadym Prystaiko, former Ukrainian ambassador to the UK; Sir Lawrence Freedman, Emeritus Professor of War Studies at Kings College London; and Jaroslava Barbieri of Chatham House's Ukraine Forum. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth and Stephen Farrell. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | Ukraine's allies should make an offer to Russians before September's 'elections' Comment | Will Ukraine's Wildberries attacks force Putin to the negotiating table? Comment | Ukraine needs help against Russian missiles now. What more can allies do? Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing

Just days into the Iran conflict, strikes had taken out much of the country's military leadership. Yet the conflict continues with a new regime installed in Tehran. With the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei unseen since the outbreak of war, who is really in charge now? And as peace negotiations continue to stall, what drives Tehran's decisions? Gavin Esler discusses the latest from Iran with Professor Ali Ansari, founding director of the Institute for Iranian Studies at the University of St Andrews. • Find out if you're owed on car finance at refundclub.co.uk/drill • 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/drill • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

Andy Burnham took over as UK prime minister with a vow to restore hope in British politics – and an early volley of voter-friendly policy promises. But are they quite as significant as billed? How much room to manoeuvre does Burnham really have? Will new chancellor John Healey release enough funds to the Ministry of Defence, which he quit in frustration? Does Ed Miliband have what it takes to succeed as foreign secretary? And how will Britain's place in the world change? Olivia O'Sullivan, director of Chatham House's UK in the World Programme, is joined by The Economist's political correspondent Hugo Gye and Chatham House associate fellow Jamie Gaskarth to discuss the first days of Burnham's premiership. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | How Burnham should engage with Africa Comment | The wishful thinking behind the war with Iran Comment | 'Structural divergence' in China's economy exposes a growing problem Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing

Andy Burnham finally takes over No.10 with promises to focus on the cost of living and to make politics better. Can he succeed? Is he the ruthless leader portended by his clearout of Starmerites, or someone more conciliatory? And how will unexpected new Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and surprise Chancellor John Healey work out alongside Shabana Mahmood, who's staying at the Home Office? Plus, Burnham takes the IfG's advice by finally creating a new Office for the Prime Minister and Cabinet. How will that work out?  IfG associate director Hannah Keenan and our devolution expert Akash Paun join special guest Joshi Herrmann of independent news site the Manchester Mill join Alex Thomas to look at Burnham: Week One.  Presented by Alex Thomas. Produced by Jade Bailey for Podmasters.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A week of turmoil within Ukraine's armed forces has seen protestors take to the streets and a chaotic series of changes at the very top of military command.  What comes next for the future of Ukraine's defence, after a week of damaging political upheaval? And what does it mean for Zelenskyy's military strategy? Oz Katerji is joined by Jimmy Rushton, special correspondent at the Kyiv Independent, for the background on a story which has rocked Ukraine and its armed forces as they continue to hold out against the Russian invasion. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Oz Katerji. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

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

The 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey may represent the pinnacle of soft power for the USA and a moment of global prestige for President Donald Trump. But at home, concerns are growing over his ever-expanding vision of presidential power. Is America now living with an 'imperial presidency'? Has the Supreme Court given the president powers that future generations might find hard to take back? How might Trump's autocratic style affect the November midterm elections? And why does he like to associate himself so closely with sports? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Heather Hurlburt and Max Yoeli of Chatham House's US and North America Programme to discuss presidential overreach, football red cards and the unitary executive theory of power. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | Trump's threats – and U-turn – on Hormuz fees further undermine US credibility in the Gulf Comment | US refusal to renew USMCA trade deal brings uncertainty for Mexico. But the treaty is far from dead Upcoming event | US at 250: Separation vs. concentration of power Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing

Send James and Sam a message or voicemailThis week, James and Sam talk with Bryan Barletta of Podcast Movement, and Martin Bojtos of Podmasters.Plus, we look at the week's podcasting news, including:• Podcast Movement's New York Audio Week plan, five-day structure and $199 creator ticket strategy• Public session voting balanced by a selection committee to avoid a popularity contest• Sounds Profitable's role as connective tissue, partner perks, events access and comms support• Measurement tension around downloads, 30-second plays, consumption and unified analytics• HLS video implications for distribution, ad delivery and platform power• Creator portals and diversified monetisation through subscriptions, merch and live events• Podmasters at 10 years, diversification as risk control and lessons from near-failure• Spotify video revenue upside versus Apple video cost concerns• Research claims about AI narrators and why methodology matters• One-off premium episode purchases and the friction problem• Kids audio discovery and why curation still lags in major apps• BBC podcast scale outside the UK and podcasts showing up on iPlayer Support the showConnect With Us: Email: weekly@podnews.netFediverse: @james@bne.social and @samsethi@podcastindex.socialSupport us: www.buzzsprout.com/1538779/supportGet Podnews: podnews.net

European security is in a state of crisis that would have been hard to imagine when Emmanuel Macron took office as French President in 2017. What happens when a President whose term has been so dominated by the threat of Russia, the fate of NATO and fears for Europe's independence comes to the end of his term? Fresh from the NATO summit, Macron turned his final Bastille Day into a statement of European unity and resolve – but questions remain over his successor, European rearmament and America's commitment to NATO. Could the ‘true European Army' that Macron once posited by the answer? Gavin Esler talks it over with Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief at The Economist. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

As member states gathered for the NATO conference in Ankara this week, leaders faced a series of questions over the future of the security alliance. As President Trump flew into Turkey criticising allies over spending commitments and their support in the Iran conflict, could they rely on the US commitment to NATO any longer?  And with Russia's war on Ukraine ongoing, and the looming threat that Putin may yet test NATO's resolve by targeting a member state, can allies meet defence budget pledges and defend Europe within a NATO less reliant on America? Oz Katerji hears the latest from the conference halls from Ed Arnold, Senior Associate Fellow, International Security at RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute. • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carvertical.com/drill • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Oz Katerji. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This year's NATO summit brought together the leaders of all 32 member states in Ankara. President Donald Trump's return to the summit brought renewed controversy, with remarks on Greenland and Iran underscoring the geopolitical tensions that continue to test the unity and purpose of the transatlantic alliance.    What happened in Ankara and what does it mean for NATO's future? If the Ukraine conflict winds down, will Russia pivot to test Article Five? And is Britain doing enough to prepare for a potential conflict?   Bronwen Maddox looks at the summit and NATO's future with special guest General Sir Richard Barrons – former Commander of Joint Forces Command in the UK, now a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House – plus Dr Marion Messmer, director of our International Security Programme, and Galip Dalay who runs Chatham House's Turkey Initiative. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Sara Seth and Stephen Farrell. Explore Chatham House's latest: News release | European NATO has four years to re-establish 'escalation dominance' over Russia, conference hears Magazine article | Yvette Cooper on Britain's place in the new world order Comment | Will NATO be convinced by the UK Defence Investment Plan? Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio |  The Climate Briefing

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

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

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

Setting out the stories that matter from the past seven days… Andy Burnham sets out his store before almost certainly taking the keys to Downing Street. But is Starmer leaving him a poison pill? Plus, more emerges on Farage and Trump's mammoth paydays. And goodbye human delivery, hello delivery robots, apparently already causing “pavement overload” on Britain's streets. Alex von Tunzelmann joins Andrew Harrison to dissect the week's biggest and weirdest stories – and the headlines you might have missed. • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carVertical.com/TheBunker • Back us on Patreon• Follow us on BlueSky• Want to get YOUR brand in front of 3.5 MILLION influential people who listen to Podmasters podcasts every month? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more.Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: James Liddell. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.www.podmasters.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The United States marks its 250th birthday at a moment of intense division and international uncertainty. At home, President Donald Trump is aggressively remodelling America's governance around expanded White House power and burning through firewalls intended to prevent presidential overreach and self-enrichment. Internationally, his capricious mix of transactional diplomacy, coercive tariffs and naked hard power has left American allies shell-shocked – and opened the door for China to spread its influence. Former US ambassador to Qatar Tim Davis joins host Bronwen Maddox and Laurel Rapp, director of our US and North America programme, to discuss the future of the United States in the world – and whether, for ordinary citizens, the American dream still exists.  Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth.   Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | On its 250th birthday, the US is still defined by its fault lines Comment | Europe watches the next American revolution take shape Comment | The US government's latest U-turn on Anthropic's Mythos sends mixed signals on AI governance Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast

The United States' war with Iran is a reminder that it's easier to start a war than to end it. Many other lessons from the conflict are also being analysed right now, from how relatively low-cost weapons change the economics of war, to how even a far-away war can affect all of us in our daily lives. Dr Neda Bolourchi, Middle East historian and nonresident fellow with the Institute for Global Affairs Eurasia Group, joins Gavin Esler to explore some of the ways in which the Iran war is making military strategists, politicians, governments and ultimately the rest of us think very differently about conflict in the 21st century. Read Dr Bolourchi's article The Hidden Systems of Modern War: Ten Takeways from the Iran War for the Modern War Institute here. • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carvertical.com/drill • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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?   • 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 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.   • This show is sponsored by CarVertical.com - Get 20% off any vehicle history check at ⁠carVertical.com/OhGodWhatNow⁠ 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

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves No.10 a decade since the Brexit referendum that began the UK's cycle of chaos, and Andy Burnham seems set to take over unopposed. Our experts discuss what the new regime will mean for Britain's future and its role in the world. Will attempts to bring the UK closer to Europe without actually rejoining the EU continue? Will Burnham want to increase Britain's defence budget, or will his priorities lie elsewhere? And why can't Britain hold on to its prime ministers? Bronwen Maddox reflects on a historic week with Ben Judah, former adviser to David Lammy and visiting fellow at Chatham House, and Olivia O'Sullivan, director of our UK in the World Programme. Produced by Podmasters for Chatham House, with thanks to Stephen Farrell and Sara Seth. Explore Chatham House's latest: Comment | Britain's next prime minister faces deep foreign policy challenges – whether Burnham or another Comment | Macron's Evian summit shows the limits Trump places on the G7 Research paper | Three foreign policy priorities for the next UK government Magazine issue | The World Today summer issue Audio | The Climate Briefing podcast

Ukrainian drone swarms have hit targets in major Russian cities, while disrupting its military assets and vital oil supplies. Could this be a turning point in the war more than four years after Russia's full-scale invasion began?  Gavin Esler is joined by John Lough, senior research fellow at the New Eurasia Strategies Centre and associate fellow in the Russia Eurasia programme at Chatham House. • Special offer! Get 20% off any vehicle history check at carvertical.com/drill • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“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. • 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

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

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

News of the framework for a peace deal between Iran and the United States - if it holds - might be the beginning of the end of a conflict that has unsettled not just the Middle East and the world economy but also Washington's relationships with its allies.  Even if President Trump claims some kind of victory in Iran - with stories about arguments and possible rifts between Trump and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, how far will the United States and Israel agree on the way forward?  Gavin Esler is joined from Washington by Steven Cook, senior fellow for Middle East and African studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. • Support us on Patreon to keep This Is Not A Drill producing thought-provoking podcasts like this. Written and presented by Gavin Esler. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Executive Producer Martin Bojtos. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. This Is Not A Drill is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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

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

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