This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
Hosted by Gavin Esler and Oz Katerji · Podmasters
4.6from 1,008 ratings
- 255
- Episodes
- 160
- Transcribed
- 1,008
- Ratings
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2021
- First episode
- 5M
- YouTube views
About This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
Exploring threats to global stability from Ukraine to China to the Middle East with host Gavin Esler – former BBC News presenter, Washington correspondent and host of Newsnight – plus Ukraine-based war reporter Oz Katerji and independent conflict analyst Emma Beals. This Is Not A Drill dives deep into the dangers, corruption, conflicts, disinformation, rivalries and ruthless realpolitik that are making our world ever more dangerous. Support This Is Not A Drill on Patreon from just £3 per month to get each episode early plus bonus material and exclusive merchandise. From Podmasters, the team behind Oh God, What Now?, Paper Cuts and The Bunker.
- Publisher
- Podmasters
- Category
- news · society & culture
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 8 Nov 2021
- Latest episode
- 6 Nov 2026
Latest episodes
160 of 255 episodes have a transcript.
6 Nov 2026TRANSCRIPT
What Trump’s midterm humiliation means for global conflict
29 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT
How Putin is playing Trump’s chaotic Ukraine “diplomacy” – with Oz Katerji
22 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT
Cold War – The new battle for the Arctic
Inside a recent episode
What Trump’s midterm humiliation means for global conflict
Published 6 Nov 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] It's usually cost of living slash inflation, immigration. Sometimes it's the Supreme Court or health care, really domestic issues. I mean, immigration crosses over. But this time the war has had such a dramatic impact on that fundamental issue that we now put in that bucket of what we call affordability. […]
Read the full transcript with a Pod Engine plan.
See plansWho has been a guest on This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
- Rana Foroohar
- Steven Pifer
- Ulrike Franke
- Elisabeth Kendall
- Matthew Campbell
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- YouTube views
- 4,818,331
- Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 4.6 / 5
- 133 ratings
- Spotify
- 4.6 / 5
- 875 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 86 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 95
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 93
- Engagement
- 97
Contact This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
- Guest appearances
- Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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Questions about This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
Who hosts This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler?
Gavin Esler and Oz Katerji host the show. Published by Podmasters.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
Where can I read transcripts?
160 of 255 episodes have a transcript on Pod Engine. Full transcripts are available with a Pod Engine plan.
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