Are you tired of the toxic nonsense of today's 'we're right and anyone who disagrees with us is wrong' conversation?
Our conversations and observations are for you. An irreverent,
light-hearted yet thoughtful non-partisan current affairs
Podcast that considers some of the most challenging issues facing our society and communities.
Trump's shenanigans. Newsom's Democrats running California as a one-party State. Labour changing Prime Ministers without any votes cast. The left wants government to deliver equity. The right wants it to restore order. Both seem increasingly tempted to give it more power, provided their lot hold the keys.
Meanwhile, Singapore poses an awkward question: would you trade some political freedom for a government that actually delivers? Everybody imagines a benevolent dictator until they become the person he finds inconvenient.
This week, Mark and I take aim at both political tribes and look beyond America to ask whether voters are losing faith in freedom or simply patience with failure.
Join us for 15 minutes of In Search of Sanity. Before somebody decides we've had quite enough free speech.
2 Oct 2026
F--- America! Free Palestine! Ladies And Gentlemen, Ed Sheeran!
After Macklemore accused Israel of genocide and apartheid during performances at MetLife Stadium, Robert Kraft refused to host him at Gillette Stadium. Other venues objected and Macklemore was removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran's tour. The online pro-Palestine crowd promptly turned on Sheeran.
Macklemore has the right to speak. Kraft has the right to decide who performs at his stadium. Sheeran has a tour to run. This week, Mark and I ask: did anyone actually do anything wrong, or does every disagreement now require a human sacrifice?
17 Sept 2026
Left vs Right Isn't Hitler vs Stalin
Political tribes and their chiefs now seem to believe they are saving civilisation. One side is fighting fascism. The other is fighting socialism. Alas, once disagreement becomes proof of evil, politics stops being a contest of ideas and becomes a vicious divorce, and the kids caught in the middle are the whole country.
This week, Mark and I rummage through the Greek philosophy on love for three ideas we may have mislaid. Philia, fellowship between citizens; pragma, the grudging compromises that stop society falling over; and xenia, extending dignity to strangers, even the irritating ones with podcasts. We also consider Mandela's admission that he was no saint, merely "a sinner who keeps on trying".
The good news is that democracy does not require us to love our opponents. Only to stop treating them as enemies. Listen in. Love may be the most radical idea in politics.
Reach and audience
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.6 / 5
7 ratings
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