The Critic Podcast
A weekly mix of current affairs and culture from the team behind Britain's new magazine for open-minded readers See https://acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
The crisis in the universities
An all star panel of Critic editors and contributors, chaired by deputy editor Graham Stewart, addressed the theme of the crisis in the universities. James Orr spoke about the narrowing of speech in the university, and the centralisation of increasingly politicised research at Oxford and Cambridge. Sebastian Milbank discussed the medieval origins of the university, and its contemporary crisis of purpose. Charlie Bentley-Astor led us into the subterranean world of the modern conservative student, forced to live out their shameful beliefs in secret. And David Butterfield called for a return of the humanistic heart of academia.
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A tale of two Englands
Their transition too (w/ Emma B)
Emma B from Children of Transitioners joins Jo Bartosch to discuss growing up with a trans father and the material and psychological challenges that it can cause.
Blurred thin blue lines (w/ Lisa Townsend)
Lisa Townsend, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner, joins Jo Bartosch to discuss attempts to have her removed from her position for opposing the principle of “self-ID”, and to talk about how ideology can damage institutions
The state of the arts (w/ Pierre d'Alancaisez)
Curator and critic Pierre d’Alancaisez joins Ben Sixsmith to discuss the delusions of the art world and the opportunities for independent creativity.
Who governs Britain? (w/ David Scullion)
Former Braverman special advisor David Scullion joins Sebastian Milbank to discuss the Home Secretary's departure, what a SpAd is, and the ongoing battle between elected ministers and civil servants.Â
Karens and cohesion (w/ Ellen Pasternack)
Writer and researcher Ellen Pasternack joins Ben Sixsmith to discuss telling people off on the tube and the fluctuating nature of social cohesion.
A load of hot air (w/ Barry Norris)
Barry Norris joins Graham Stewart to discuss his new Critic cover story “Britain, goner with the wind” and the fallacies behind the growth of wind power.
From TV to the trans debate (w/ Graham Linehan)
Jo Bartosch interviews comedy writer and author Graham Linehan about his new book Tough Crowd and what led him to write it.Â
Hungary, last safe haven of the West? (w/Rod Dreher)
Writer and commentator Rod Dreher in conversation with Critic executive editor Sebastian Milbank, to talk about Israel-Palestine, Viktor Orbán, and the dangers of romanticising victimhood.Â