

John Anderson: Conversations
John Anderson
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia John Anderson sits down with world-leading historians, economists, politicians, and thinkers to examine the ideas shaping our society. Drawing on decades at the highest levels of government, John brings rare depth and civility to conversations that mainstream media won't have.
This podcast covers everything from Australia's political future to faith, freedom, and the fragility of Western democracy. Thoughtful, rigorous, and genuinely independent.
This podcast covers everything from Australia's political future to faith, freedom, and the fragility of Western democracy. Thoughtful, rigorous, and genuinely independent.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 12, 2024 • 59min
Direct: Matthew Goodwin, Academic, Author and Pollster
British political scientist Matthew Goodwin discusses the emergence of a new class of elites and their disconnect from the general public. He explores the realignment of British politics after Brexit, the troubling state of academia, the influence of critical theory, the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the need for a new class of heroes to combat cancel culture.

Dec 20, 2023 • 1h 20min
Direct: Prof. Nancy Pearcey, American Evangelical Author
Prof. Nancy Pearcey discusses the importance of fatherhood, history of the nuclear family, and impact of Christianity on marriage. She critiques the loathing of young boys and harmful versions of masculinity promoted by social media influencers. Value fatherhood, promote positive Christian masculinity, and stop disdain of men in public square.

54 snips
Dec 8, 2023 • 1h 8min
Direct: Prof. John Mearsheimer, American political scientist
Political scientist Prof. John Mearsheimer discusses the recent war in Ukraine and potential conflict in Taiwan. He argues for 'offensive realism' in international relations, contrasting with the liberal framework. The podcast explores the role of nationalism, the historical context of American foreign policy, the shift from a unipolar to multipolar world, the direction of the US and the impact of the 2024 presidential race, and the possibility of war between the US and China.

Nov 24, 2023 • 1h 20min
Conversations: Dr. James Orr, A/Prof of Philosophy of Religion
Dr. James Orr discusses multiculturalism, religion, and the therapeutic nature of modern society; exploring the shift from sin to syndrome, the significance of suffering and resilience, and Britain's role and tensions in immigration. They also delve into the compatibility of Christian faith and philosophy, and the connection between power and the woke anti-woke dynamic.

9 snips
Nov 14, 2023 • 58min
Conversations: Niall Ferguson, Historian and Author
Historian Niall Ferguson discusses the tactical difficulties Israel faces in rooting out Hamas, while criticizing the decline of Western support due to a woke university system. The podcast also explores threats to Western freedom, Japan's role in Asia, and the need for citizen engagement in global issues.

Nov 8, 2023 • 1h 1min
Conversations: Douglas Murray, Journalist and Author
Journalist and author Douglas Murray discusses the erosion of Western Civilization caused by factors such as illegal immigration, secularization, and radical Islam. He emphasizes the importance of preserving Western values and rejecting elitist identity politics. The conversation also covers topics like cancel culture, entrenching group privilege in Australia, the complex legacy of the British Empire, the distortion of Western history, and the need for a reformation in Islam and immigration policy.

Nov 3, 2023 • 49min
Conversations: Peter Hitchens, Journalist and Author II
John sits down with journalist and author Peter Hitchens to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. This conversation was filmed on the 26th of October.
While Hitchens labels himself as 'pro-Israel' he argues against their current course of action as both politically and militarily disasterous. Moreover, Hitchens is a self-proclaimed 'free speech absolutist' which he discusses in the context of anti-Semitic speech and the ongoing political challenges facing Britain.

Oct 20, 2023 • 1h 10min
Conversations: Victor Davis Hanson, Historian and Writer
John is joined by military historian Victor Davis Hanson to discuss the escalating conflict in the Middle East. This conversation was recorded on Wednesday the 18th of October.
Hanson argues that Israel is in a unique position to retaliate unencumbered by American opposition, due to the bi-partisan support it currently has in the US. However, he contends that conflicts like this, and others such as the war in Ukraine, would probably not have transpired had President Trump still been at the helm.

Oct 6, 2023 • 1h 6min
Conversations: Glen Scrivener, Author, Minister and Director of Speak Life
In this interview, John sits down with author, minister and director of Speak Life, Glen Scrivener for a conversation on how the Christian worldview has shaped our society.
Glen does a fantastic job communicating how thoroughly the Christian ethic has shaped and still continues to shape our culture today. Most remarkably, Glen highlights how even many of the arguments of Christianity’s biggest detractors are based on presuppositions that are fundamentally Christian in nature.

14 snips
Sep 22, 2023 • 59min
Conversations: Anthony Dillon, Indigenous Academic and Commentator.
In this interview, John Anderson sits down with his good friend Anthony Dillon, an Indigenous academic and commentator. They discuss his background growing up with two great extended families as role models, his father's role as Australia's first Indigenous police officer, the importance of recognizing commonalities over differences, the need for secure environments for children's success, reservations about the effectiveness of the voice mechanism, the importance of judging individuals based on their own merits, the concept of macarata and the complexities of forgiveness, and concerns about generalizing historical wrongdoings to present generations.


