The Brendan O'Neill Show

Marie Kawthar Daouda, author and Oxford lecturer known for Not Your Victim, critiques decolonisation and identity politics. She discusses 2020’s online activism surge and the Colston statue controversy. She examines performative guilt, campus iconoclasm, the rise of victimhood culture, and risks of a reactive ethno-nationalist backlash.

Bridget Phetasy, writer and podcaster known for Dumpster Fire, offers sharp cultural and political commentary. She discusses America’s unrest and local versus federal clashes. She unpacks the surge of liberal white women activists, selective outrage in feminism, and geopolitics from Iran to national strength. Short, incisive takes on protest optics, media fueling, and Western resilience.

EXCLUSIVE JANUARY OFFER: Get unlimited access to spiked for just £1 a month for the next three months: https://www.spiked-online.com/support/ Ayaan Hirsi Ali – founder of the AHA Foundation and the Restoration Bulletin – returns to The Brendan O’Neill Show to discuss the Iranian revolt against the ayatollahs, how Islamism enabled Britain’s grooming-gangs scandal, and how multiculturalism has institutionalised misogyny, sectarianism and anti-Semitism. EVENT: spiked is partnering with the Free Speech Union for ‘In Defence of Trial by Jury’, a live discussion on Thursday 29 January in London. spiked supporters and Free Speech Union members can get discounted tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/freespeechunion/2002087  Become a spiked supporter to access all of spiked’s exclusive content, and get unlimited, ad-free reading and other perks: https://www.spiked-online.com/support/ Order Brendan O’Neill’s After the Pogrom now from: 🇬🇧 📕 Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/After-Pogrom-October-Israel-Civilisation/dp/1068719303/  🇺🇸 📕 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/After-Pogrom-October-Israel-Civilisation/dp/1068719303/  Support spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/support/  Sign up to spiked’s newsletters: https://www.spiked-online.com/newsletters/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Frank Furedi, a sociologist and author known for his insights on populism and geopolitics, dives into the chaos of global instability. He discusses the unraveling of the US-led world order and critiques the 'Don-roe' doctrine's influence in Latin America. Furedi also highlights the sovereignty issues raised by US interventions, the implications of Iran's protests, and the shifting dynamics in the Middle East. He calls for a return to national interests, arguing that clarity in geopolitical strategy is essential for stability.

Daniel McCarthy – editor of Modern Age – returns to The Brendan O’Neill Show following Donald Trump’s raid on Venezuela. Daniel and Brendan discuss the new realpolitik in US security strategy and the dangers of foreign-imposed regime change. Plus, how Tim Walz turned a blind eye to industrial-scale welfare fraud in the Somali community. Sign up today for your £1-a-month trial with Shopify and start selling today: https://shopify.co.uk/brendan  Become a spiked supporter to access all of spiked’s exclusive content, and get unlimited, ad-free reading and other perks: https://www.spiked-online.com/support/ Order Brendan O’Neill’s After the Pogrom now from: 🇬🇧 📕 Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/After-Pogrom-October-Israel-Civilisation/dp/1068719303/  🇺🇸 📕 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/After-Pogrom-October-Israel-Civilisation/dp/1068719303/  Support spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/support/  Sign up to spiked’s newsletters: https://www.spiked-online.com/newsletters/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want a signed copy of Vibe Shift, the brilliant new book by Brendan O’Neill? Donate £50 or more – or £30 or more, if you’re a spiked supporter – to our Christmas appeal and we’ll pop one in the post: https://www.spiked-online.com/xmas/  Rosie Kay – choreographer, founder of K2CO and co-founder of Freedom in the Arts – returns to The Brendan O’Neill Show. Rosie and Brendan discuss the staggering levels of self-censorship in Britain’s cultural institutions, the cancellations of Graham Linehan and Kate Clanchy, and how liberals abandoned the battle for artistic freedom. Become a spiked supporter to access all of spiked’s exclusive content, and get unlimited, ad-free reading and other perks: https://www.spiked-online.com/support/ Order Brendan O’Neill’s After the Pogrom now from: 🇬🇧 📕 Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/After-Pogrom-October-Israel-Civilisation/dp/1068719303/  🇺🇸 📕 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/After-Pogrom-October-Israel-Civilisation/dp/1068719303/  Support spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/support/  Sign up to spiked’s newsletters:https://www.spiked-online.com/newsletters/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christopher Caldwell, a journalist and author known for his insights on migration and Western politics, joins for a provocative discussion. They delve into the erosion of border control in the West and the political implications of anti-woke sentiment. Caldwell analyzes Trump’s impact on immigration policy and public perception, while also discussing the generational challenges faced by millennials and Gen Z. The duo explores Europe's identity crisis amid immigration and the question of sovereignty versus economic labor needs.

Robin Aitken – former BBC journalist and author of The Noble Liar – is the latest guest on The Brendan O’Neill Show. Robin and Brendan discuss the BBC’s abandonment of objectivity, the activist capture of the newsroom and why this still matters in the internet era. New episodes every Thursday. Get a signed copy of Vibe Shift, Brendan O’Neill’s new book: https://www.spiked-online.com/2025/12/09/introducing-vibe-shift-by-brendan-oneill/  Order Brendan O’Neill’s After the Pogrom now from: 🇬🇧 📕 Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/After-Pogrom-October-Israel-Civilisation/dp/1068719303/  🇺🇸 📕 Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/After-Pogrom-October-Israel-Civilisation/dp/1068719303/  Support spiked: https://www.spiked-online.com/support/  Sign up to spiked’s newsletters: https://www.spiked-online.com/newsletters/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matthew Syed, a columnist for The Times and author known for his keen insights on culture and politics, dives into the UK’s economic decline and the pressing need for strategic reform. He critiques rising debt and the dangers of quantitative easing, while contrasting China’s nimble regulations with Western inefficiencies. Syed also addresses shifting political allegiances, the complexities of patriotism versus tax flight, and the impact of identity politics on social cohesion. His take on the decline of wokeness and call for a focus on growth is particularly thought-provoking.

Helen Joyce, the Director of Advocacy at Sex Matters, dives deep into the controversial issues surrounding puberty blockers and their irreversible effects on children. She critiques flawed trial designs that sidestep ethical standards, revealing the ideological pressures that lead to such experimentation. Joyce emphasizes the troubling promise made to children—unachievable social outcomes—and highlights the significant risks of fertility loss and mental health issues. She discusses societal implications and warns against the persistence of trans ideology affecting women's and gay rights.