UnHerd with Freddie Sayers
UnHerd
Freddie Sayers from online magazine UnHerd seeks out top scientists, writers, politicians and thinkers for in-depth interviews to try and help us work out what’s really going on. What started as an inquiry into the pandemic has broadened into a fascinating look at free speech, science, meaning and the ideas shaping our world.Due to popular demand here is a podcast version of our YouTube — available to watch, for free here or by searching ‘LockdownTV’.Enjoy! And don't forget to rate, like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 19, 2026 • 1h 3min
Anton Jäger: The Far-Right's route to victory
Anton Jäger, historian and Oxford lecturer and author of Hyperpolitics, explores how politicization surged while institutions faded. He traces digital mobilization, the 2008 shock, Brexit and mass protests. He contrasts one-day online flare-ups with old party durability and considers why the right often wins in this new landscape.
20 snips
Feb 16, 2026 • 21min
Danish minister: Here's how we controlled immigration
Kaare Dybvad Bek, Danish politician who led immigration and integration policy, explains Denmark's strict approach to asylum and returns. He discusses language and work requirements, housing mixes to avoid ghettos, and measures to deter irregular arrivals. The conversation highlights how firm enforcement was used to protect the welfare state and undercut the populist right.
Feb 11, 2026 • 32min
Robby Soave on 'Epstein Derangement Syndrome'
Robby Soave, senior editor at Reason who covers free speech and civil liberties, tackles the fallout from the Epstein files. He warns that dumped documents can fuel guilt by association and privacy harm. They discuss misleading bits of evidence, partisan media spin, and why caution rather than moral panic is needed.
20 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 55min
Can Reform win in Manchester?
Shahbaz Sarwar, Workers' Party councillor representing Longsight and community advocate; Allan Hopwood, Reform councillor in Greater Manchester focused on local campaigning; Joshi Herrmann, founding editor of the Manchester Mill and local reporter; Rob Ford, University of Manchester political scientist and author. They discuss voter makeup across Gorton and Denton, the clash between cultural and economic issues, coalition dynamics between diverse communities, and what a Reform breakthrough would signal nationally.
9 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 27min
Glenn Loury: Elon Musk’s apartheid politics
Glenn Loury, economist and Brown professor who was Harvard’s first tenured Black professor, critiques a new strain of Right-wing identity politics. He argues Elon Musk misapplies South African racial frames to the US. Loury warns this adoption of racial essentialism reshapes political alliances and strains institutions. He closes by urging a principled, non-identitarian response.
37 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 51min
John Bew: The Davos world is over
In a thought-provoking discussion, John Bew, a historian and former chief foreign policy advisor, dives into the precarious state of Western alliances. He critiques the myths surrounding the 'rules-based order' while emphasizing its historical importance. Bew tackles rising tensions, especially regarding the UK’s cautious diplomatic stance amid Trump's push for Greenland. He suggests that middle powers must adapt as the U.S. reverts to pre-1945 behaviors and explores the potential of a Northern European alliance to fortify national interests in an increasingly bipolar world.
22 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 54min
The ICE debate: Sohrab Ahmari vs Jenin Younes
Jenin Younes, a civil liberties attorney known for her First Amendment advocacy, debates with Sohrab Ahmari, a political commentator, on the controversial killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent. They explore sharply contrasting views: was it a tragic civil liberties violation or justified law enforcement? Younes criticizes ICE tactics and argues for restraint, while Ahmari defends the officer's actions, linking them to obstruction laws. David Montgomery adds insights from polling, revealing a polarized public reaction to the incident.
38 snips
Jan 7, 2026 • 44min
Why Trump will get Greenland
Join Henrik Dahl, a Danish MEP, Helen Thompson, a Cambridge political economist, and economist Pippa Malmgren as they dive deep into the geopolitical drama surrounding Greenland. They unravel the historical ties and legal basis for Danish sovereignty while examining the modern implications of U.S. ambitions. Discussions include Arctic militarization, the strategic importance of rare earth resources, and the U.S. distrust towards European allies. Discover how Greenland's future may shape global power dynamics in the new space race.
Dec 30, 2025 • 25min
Yanis Varoufakis: The most deepfaked man on YouTube!
Yanis Varoufakis, former Greek finance minister and co-host of the Econoclasts podcast, dives into the alarming world of AI-generated deepfakes, using his own experience as a striking example. He discusses the distressing rise of misinformation fueled by Big Tech's algorithms prioritizing engagement over truth. Varoufakis critiques the slow responses from platforms like Google and Meta, and highlights the risks of losing trusted voices in society. He proposes solutions such as digital commons and political action to reclaim our identities in this increasingly confusing digital landscape.
27 snips
Dec 26, 2025 • 45min
Prof. James Hankins: The return of Western civilisation
Prof. James Hankins, a Harvard historian and Renaissance scholar, dives into the troubled legacy of Western civilization and classical education. He highlights the profound contributions of Greek thought and Roman law, emphasizing reason's role in shaping democracy. Hankins critiques the modern neglect of these traditions, lamenting the cultural amnesia in elite institutions. Yet, he offers a glimmer of hope, likening today's revival of classical education to the early Renaissance, suggesting that a cultural renaissance is within reach.
