The Bunker – News without the nonsense
Podmasters
News without the nonsense, every weekday morning. In episodes that fit your commute*, The Bunker cuts through the noise to make sense of what’s really going on in news, current affairs, politics, economics and culture. We bring you smart explainers, interviews, fresh perspectives and under-reported stories to as a refreshing alternative to repetitive Punch and Judy news coverage. It’s the only way to start the day. From the producers of Oh God, What Now?Our regulars include: Gavin Esler • Ros Taylor • Alex von Tunzelmann • Andrew Harrison • Zing Tsjeng • Jacob Jarvis • Emma Kennedy • Rafael Behr • Seth Thévoz.• Sign up to support the podcast and get episodes ad-free and early: patreon.com/bunkercast• Apple users: Get all of our core shows ad-free and early with the Podmasters Originals super-subscription.(* Even if it’s just from the kitchen to the front room. )The Bunker is a Podmasters production.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 19, 2026 • 35min
Epstein scandal sparks Andrew arrest: What next? – Weekly Wrap-up with Alex von Tunzelmann
Alex von Tunzelmann, historian, broadcaster and author, provides sharp historical context. She unpacks Prince Andrew’s rare arrest and its implications for the royal family. She compares UK and US fallout from the Epstein files. She also dissects media treatment of Reform, a bizarre RFK Jr. viral video, and a clever hotel scam.
4 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 38min
No jobs, what now? – Are we ready for a world without work?
Daniel Susskind, economist and author on the future of work and AI, offers a brisk tour of how automation reshapes jobs and politics. He traces AI’s long arc, warns that professionals are vulnerable, and reframes historical labor protests. He also explores mismatches of skills, place and identity, and debates policy responses like basic income.
Feb 18, 2026 • 27min
Two's a crowd – How the Whigs vs. Tories shaped modern Britain
George Owers, historian and author of The Rage of Party, unpacks late 17th–early 18th century Britain. He traces the rise of Whigs and Tories, the Glorious Revolution’s boost to Parliament, and how war, finance and propaganda forged party politics. Short, lively takes on elections, corruption, and the birth of the modern political press.
Feb 17, 2026 • 27min
Is the Russian military really as powerful as we’re told?
Shashank Joshi, defence editor at The Economist, offers sharp analysis of Russia’s transformed army and recruitment tactics. He discusses how the original force was degraded, the rise of dismounted infantry and drones, and the role of money powering mobilisation. NATO’s changing command and Europe’s defence industrial needs also feature in the conversation.
Feb 16, 2026 • 35min
Harsh Realities in Munich – Start Your Week with Ros Taylor and Andrew Harrison
They unpack the fallout from Navalny’s murder and Britain’s debate over rearmament and defence spending. They probe Marco Rubio’s Munich tone and what it means for US-Europe ties. A rushed UK plan to limit teen social media gets scrutiny. Local by-election drama, Labour leadership chatter about John Healey, a measles scare in London, and the Year of the Fire Horse all feature.
Feb 13, 2026 • 35min
Starmer safe, but for how long? – Weekly Wrap-up with Jonn Elledge and Andrew Harrison
John Elledge, bestselling author and journalist, joins to dissect a turbulent week in politics. They probe Keir Starmer’s survival, the Epstein–Mandelson fallout and shifting power in Number 10. Discussions also cover royal probes, Sarah Ferguson’s revelations, the Pride flag removal at Stonewall and cultural flashpoints from the Super Bowl to Jim Ratcliffe’s remarks.
Feb 12, 2026 • 32min
The Full Brontë – Why everyone gets Wuthering Heights wrong
Samantha Ellis, playwright and author known for feminist readings of the Brontës, digs into Wuthering Heights. She explores Emily Brontë’s solitary life and family tragedies. The conversation covers Heathcliff’s violence and outsider status, debates about his background, Anne Brontë’s radicalism, and why the novel keeps provoking new adaptations and arguments.
Feb 11, 2026 • 37min
Reality Bites – Do we still live in a Fast Food Nation?
Eric Schlosser, investigative journalist and author of Fast Food Nation, reflects on how his reporting changed the conversation about industrial food. He revisits dangerous slaughterhouse scenes, corporate consolidation and supply fragility. The conversation covers bird flu risks, app-driven delivery shifts, rising fast-casual homogeneity, and how food access ties to wages and policy.
Feb 10, 2026 • 32min
At war with everyone – Who’s actually running US foreign policy?
David Rennie, Geopolitics editor at The Economist and former Washington and Beijing bureau chief, unpacks the shift in US foreign policy. He discusses the 2025 national security strategy, Trump-era nationalist narratives about Europe and immigration, competing factions over China versus Europe, and the rise of transactional, deal‑driven diplomacy.
Feb 9, 2026 • 35min
Morganised Chaos – Start Your Week with Gavin Esler
Gavin Esler, broadcaster and political commentator known for incisive analysis, previews the week ahead. He dissects the Mandelson/Epstein fallout and Labour’s leadership peril. He looks at key electoral tests, the assisted dying bill’s crucial Lords fights, Tulsi Gabbard’s DNI controversy, media layoffs, Cuba’s crisis, climate-linked flooding and a quirky FA Cup clash.
