John Anderson: Conversations

John sits down with Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD and a former Australian senator, for a wide-ranging conversation on the pressures facing advanced economies, from rising debt and ageing populations to housing affordability, migration and trust in institutions. They trace the OECD’s origins in the Marshall Plan and ask whether globalisation can be fixed rather than abandoned, before turning to the energy transition, defence spending and the war in Ukraine.Cormann warns that debt you do not pay down now means higher taxes or deeper cuts later, and urges governments to rebuild their fiscal buffers. He argues th...

Nadia Schadlow joins John to discuss the fundamental shifts reshaping global geopolitics and the realities of modern statecraft. Together, they examine the return of great power competition, the evolving expectations surrounding alliance burden-sharing, and the complex challenge of managing relations with strategic competitors like China. The conversation breaks down the urgent need to address critical supply chain vulnerabilities, secure domestic energy supplies, and rethink defence industrial capacity. Schadlow also highlights how technological innovations and rapid adaptations on today’s battlefields, such as the widespread use of drones, are fundamentally altering the character of modern warfare.Dr. Nadia Schadlow is a...

Alexandra Hudson joins John to explore the breakdown of modern public discourse and to unpack the crucial distinction between superficial politeness and genuine civility. Hudson argues that true civility is not merely adhering to polite etiquette, but an inner disposition that recognizes the inherent dignity of others, even when that requires having difficult, uncomfortable conversations.

Rather than viewing our deep political and cultural divisions as a novel crisis, the conversation frames dehumanisation and the lust for dominance as age-old human flaws. Ultimately, Hudson urges listeners to look inward rather than blaming political figures or the media...

John sits down with British historian and broadcaster Rafe Heydel-Mankoo to examine why the West has lost confidence in itself. Rafe argues that while individualism is the quality that set the West apart, generating the social trust, curiosity and appetite for risk that no other civilisation produced, it was only ever safe when held in check by strong institutions and the understanding that rights come with obligations.

Once this balance fell away, individualism curdled into the narcissism and identity politics that we see in the present, and the institutions meant to restrain it have themselves been captured...

In partnership with Australian Dialogues, join host John Anderson for a compelling constitutional debate filmed at NSW Parliament House. Moderated by Professor Rosalind Dixon, the panel included former Australian High Court Justice Michael Kirby, US Circuit Judge Andrew Oldham, and legal scholar Professor Nicholas Aroney. Together, they tackle one of the most consequential questions in modern jurisprudence: should a constitution be interpreted through the lens of its original public meaning, or as a dynamic, "living" document that evolves with changing times?The panel examines the deep tensions between originalism and living constitutionalism, contrasting the necessity of objective judicial constraint...

Join John in conversation with David Harris as they explore the roots and modern resurgence of antisemitism. They discuss the defining characteristics of antisemitism, its historical evolution, and how contemporary political dynamics shape global attitudes toward the Jewish community and Israel.The conversation examines the blurring lines between antizionism and antisemitism, alongside the changing social climate in Western democracies following the December 2025 terrorist attack at Bondi Beach. Harris calls for principled, bipartisan leadership and a unified societal stance that rejects prejudice and protects fellow citizens.David Harris is an international Jewish advocate and the current Executive Vice Chair of...

John sits down with sociologist and author Frank Furedi to discuss why millions of people across the West are turning against the political establishment, the rise of populism, the collapse of trust in traditional institutions, and the growing divide between ordinary citizens and the elites who govern them.

From immigration and multiculturalism to education, free speech, national identity and the future of democracy, Furedi argues that populism is not simply a threat to the political order — it is a response to people feeling ignored by it. The conversation explores what has been lost, why citizenship matters, and wh...

In this interview, sitting Danish politician Alex Vanopslagh explains how Denmark became a great and prosperous nation. Contrary to the platitudes from members of the left like Bernie Sanders, who have argued that Denmark is a socialist success story, Alex argues that liberty and individual responsibility have made it great.He also explains how Denmark's Protestant emphasis on individual conscience and responsibility, combined with its high social trust, has put the country in a unique position to deal with issues like mass migration and the rise of political Islam. This has helped Denmark to avoid the pattern seen across...

Robert P. George joins John Anderson at the ARC conference in London for a conversation that traces natural law back through Cicero and Aristotle to Martin Luther King's Letter from Birmingham Jail. He also discusses his friendship with utilitarian philosopher Peter Singer on the personhood of the unborn as evidence that serious disagreement and real friendship aren't incompatible.

The conversation turns to what happens when that capacity disappears: the tribalism of social media and siloed media ecosystems, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk, which George calls a tragedy not just for Kirk's family but for civic life...

Konstantin Kisin argues that Britain is poor and getting poorer, and that almost nobody knows it. He points to polling showing most Britons believe they are as rich as Switzerland, Singapore or Australia, when on a per capita basis Britain sits far down the table and is close to being overtaken by Poland.

 Konstantin also examines the grooming gangs scandal, which he describes as organised crime run through kinship networks, and rejects outright the idea that Britain can accommodate two legal systems.

 Konstantin Kisin is a writer, social commentator, comedian, and co-host of the free sp...

John Anderson sits down with social researcher Mark McCrindle and measurement researcher Dorian von Freyhold to examine whether Australia’s Census is giving an accurate picture of the country’s religious identity. They explore how changes to the wording and structure of the religion question may influence responses, why “no religion” does not necessarily mean atheism, and what their research suggests about the true scale of secularisation in Australia.The conversation also looks beyond the Census to the broader cultural picture: the changing relationship younger Australians have with Christianity, the difference between religious affiliation and active belief, the enduring influenc...

Dr. David Starkey sits down with John Anderson to discuss the breakdown of Britain, arguing the crisis is not merely a run of bad prime ministers but a system deliberately broken. He contends that from 1997 the Blair government reinvented British governance on a continental model, displacing the supremacy of Parliament with human rights law, supreme courts and an alien legal architecture.Starkey warns that the sovereignty of the British people has been quietly inverted, and that the country is only now waking up to the consequences. He points to the 440 quangos accounting for roughly a third of state expenditure...

Geopolitical expert Michael Doran argues that Middle East stability depends on the U.S. winning its long war with Iran. He warns the “rabid dog” regime remains a paused but persistent danger.Doran also unpacks how China is using the Middle East as a laboratory to test how America defends against missiles and drones before any move on Taiwan. He warns that anti-ship ballistic missiles supplied to Iran and the Houthis exist for one purpose: sinking American aircraft carriers.Michael Doran is a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute and director of its Center for Peace and Security in the...

Former senior Treasury official David Pearl argues that Australia's decline is not fate but the product of bad choices made by the people running our institutions.He contends that Treasury, once feared for its razor-sharp scrutiny of policy, has been captured from above by secretaries who treat emissions reduction as a moral imperative rather than a trade-off, and who withhold the true cost of the energy transition — a figure he puts as high as $1 trillion.David Pearl is a former assistant secretary of the Australian Treasury and now a full-time writer and commentator on economic and cultural policy. He sp...

In this conversation, Melanie Phillips joins John Anderson to discuss the crisis of Western resolve and moral decline. Drawing on her decades as a commentator, Phillips argues that Iran's perceived strength reflects Western weakness and hesitation. She also explores how anti-Zionism and elite failure have hollowed out Western valuesA pre-eminent voice in British public discourse, Melanie Phillips possesses a storied journalistic pedigree. Having established her reputation at The Guardian and the New Statesman, she now provides sharp political and social analysis for The Times, The Jerusalem Post, and The Jewish Chronicle. A familiar and formidable presence on the airwaves...

Steven Koonin joins John Anderson for an in-depth conversation exploring the science, engineering and economics behind today's climate debate. Drawing on decades of experience in physics, energy research and public policy, Koonin argues that while climate change is real, many public discussions fail to capture the uncertainty, nuance and trade-offs contained within the scientific evidence. Together they examine what climate models can reliably predict and why careful analysis matters when shaping long-term policy.The conversation also explores Australia's energy future, the challenges of maintaining reliable electricity grids, the potential role of nuclear power, and the balance between affordability, energy...

In this conversation, John Anderson sits down with Prof. Simon Haines and Dr. Fiona Mueller to examine how Australia's schools and universities stopped teaching children how to think, and what a genuine restoration of education would look like. The results are measurable in falling literacy, rising school refusal, and a curriculum that has prioritised ideological formation at the expense of knowledge.From the classical roots of Western education and the Trivium to the ideological capture of teacher training and university management, Haines and Mueller expose the ideas driving the decline and the institutions already proving a better model is...

John Anderson joins energy analyst Aidan Morrison and journalist Chris Uhlmann for a forensic examination of Australia's energy crisis. Together, they expose the broken promises behind the renewable transition, the CSIRO modelling built on figures no operating wind farm has achieved, and the legislative blunder that turned the New England Renewable Energy Zone into a multi-billion dollar infrastructure disaster. Drawing on international comparisons, primary documents, and on-the-ground testimony, the panel reveals how Australians were sold a false economic promise — and what the true cost to the nation's bills, industry, and security will be.Aidan Morrison is a leading researcher in...

In this interview, podcaster and political commentator Carl Benjamin joins John to explore the accelerating collapse of English identity and the political crisis that has followed.Carl argues that Britain has sleepwalked into a civilisational emergency: mass immigration without a vote, a bureaucratic state that has outgrown democratic accountability, and a native population that has been deliberately disconnected from the culture and heritage it was supposed to carry forward. Carl Benjamin is one of Britain's most followed independent commentators. Widely known online as Sargon of Akkad, Benjamin is the director of the conservative political podcast, Lotus Eaters. He is...

Psychotherapist and author Erica Komisar joins John to make the case that what happens in a child's first 3 years shapes their emotional security for life, and that current childcare policy is built on a dangerous ignorance of child development.They also discuss why ADHD is better understood as a stress response than a disorder, what the evidence tells us about cortisol levels in babies separated from their primary caregivers, why Australia's social media ban is a step in the right direction but far from a complete solution, and what governments could do differently if they genuinely wanted to support...

Professor Gad Saad argues that empathy directed at the wrong targets becomes a tool of civilisational self-destruction, and that every idea enabling this collapse was spawned on a university campus. Drawing on his own experience fleeing Lebanon as a Jewish child, Saad examines Britain's grooming gang scandal, the pathologisation of masculinity, and the incoherence of Queers for Palestine, noting Gaza practises what he calls a gravity-based conversion therapy. He closes with a sobering prognosis: the auto-corrections exist, but the West currently lacks the fortitude to implement any of them.

Gad Saad is a Lebanese-Canadian...

In this interview, author, political commentator and Reform UK candidate, Matt Goodwin joins John to unpack the impending collapse of the United Kingdom.Matt explains how a managerial class of politicians have embraced a worldview of 'suicidal empathy' resulting in mass migration.This unelected decision has increasingly come at the cost of English culture, economic security and ultimately the native population's very existence.Matt Goodwin is an academic, bestseller writer and speaker known for his work on political volatility, risk, populism, British politics, Europe, elections and Brexit. He recently contended in the 2026 Gorton and Denton by-election for Reform UK...

What makes Australia’s Constitution so effective, and why do so few people understand it? In this interview, Ian Callinan and Mark Fowler unpack the origins of our legal system, the role of philosophy in shaping law, and the importance of keeping power accountable.

They also tackle modern challenges: the push for a Human Rights Act, the rise of postmodern thinking, and the growing tension between individual “truths” and objective justice. The result is a powerful discussion on the future of law, freedom, and society.

Mark Fowler is an Adjunct Associate Professor at his alma mater...

Aidan Morrison and Derek Bush join John for a frank conversation about Australia's cumbersome renewable energy transition, and the real costs being borne by the communities expected to host it. They make the case that rural Australians are being overrun by a policy conceived in cities and imposed on regional areas, exposing the considerable gap between the government's 2030 targets and what the national grid can realistically deliver.
This is a timely warning that Australia's energy policy is being driven by political ambition rather than engineering reality, and that the consequences will be felt by every Australian as power...

Former Japanese Ambassador to Australia Shingo Yamagami joins John for a frank conversation about the bilateral relationship between Japan and Australia. Yamagami makes the case that this relationship is essential to the stability of the Indo-Pacific region, especially in light of an assertive and expansionist China.

The discussion calls for a refusal to cower beneath China’s authoritarian demands, while warning that Australia may not be adequately prepared for a potential conflict over Taiwan. Yamagami argues that internal political and economic pressures within China could create a dangerous window for them to take more ag...

In this special episode for Easter, John is joined by Dr. Michael Youssef to explore the complexities of political Islam and its impact on the West, challenging viewers to move beyond superficial secular answers and confront the deep-seated belief systems that continue to shape the contemporary political landscape. Youssef critiques the 'unholy alliance' between Islamism and progressivism, suggesting that this is a relationship of convenience that will end in betrayal and threatens to destroy the West.The discussion examines the concept of 'third jihad', where democratic processes are being used to implement non-democratic legal codes such as Sharia law...

Dr. John Coyne joins John Anderson to provide a sobering assessment of why Australia has fallen behind its international peers in maintaining essential fuel reserves. They trace the history of global energy shocks to explain how current complacency regarding diesel and urea threatens the heartbeat of the Australian agricultural sector.The conversation considers the 'cascading risks' of the modern strategic environment and the limitations of current solutions like electrification for heavy farming machinery. This is a call for leaders to prioritise sovereign security and frank policy advice over populist convenience.Dr. John Coyne is the inaugural Director of ASPI’s...

In this conversation, Brendan O’Neill joins John to discuss the global reaction to October 7 and what it reveals about the state of Western culture. They examine why protests and activism erupted across university campuses, how narratives about Israel spread rapidly through Western institutions, and why many of these institutions appeared to respond with hostility rather than solidarity.
The discussion also explores the role of identity politics, social media, and shifting cultural attitudes in shaping Western democracies. O’Neill suggests that these reactions reflect a deeper loss of confidence within Western institutions in their own values and historical foun...

Rodger Shanahan joins John Anderson to examine the true objectives behind U.S. and Israeli military action against Iran. Is this about preventing a nuclear capability, dismantling Iran’s proxy network, or ultimately forcing regime change? Shanahan argues that while public messaging has been inconsistent, the rhetoric and targeting patterns increasingly point toward regime change — a strategic ambition with a poor historical record when pursued through air power alone.
The discussion unpacks Iran’s ideological foundations, its history of foreign intervention, the erosion of its “forward defence” strategy, and the real limits of military precision in shaping political outcomes...

John Anderson sits down with former NSW Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner Mike Newman to examine the culture, size and direction of Australia’s modern public service. While both men acknowledge the vital role of capable public servants, they question whether the system has become bloated, inward-looking and detached from the realities faced by households and businesses. At a time of falling productivity and rising cost-of-living pressures, they ask whether the balance between administration and wealth creation has drifted out of alignment.The discussion moves beyond numbers to deeper questions of accountability, incentives and institutional culture. From regulatory overreach to...

John Anderson speaks with Wes Huff and Dan Paterson about the striking cultural shift among younger generations towards a renewed search for meaning, transcendence, and moral grounding. They reflect on disillusionment with secular narratives and the renewed interest in Christianity as a source of lifelong direction and purpose. Huff and Paterson explore the impact of numerous online role models for young men, including Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate. This is a conversation that questions whether modern society can sustain itself without a deeper moral and spiritual foundation. Wes Huff is the Vice President for Apologetics Canada and has...

John Anderson speaks with Ayaan Hirsi Ali to examine the growing ideological, spiritual, and civilisational pressures confronting the West. Drawing on her personal experience, historical analysis, and cultural commentary, Hirsi Ali argues that radical Islam, institutional secularism, and the erosion of Western moral confidence are converging to produce a crisis of identity and social cohesion. This conversation traces the theological roots of modern Islamic extremism, the relationship between Islam and political power, the limits of multicultural integration, and the consequences of abandoning the cultural and moral foundations that once sustained liberal democracy. It is a candid and confronting discussion that c...

Henry Ergas joins John to explore the erosion of historical understanding, the rise of ideological extremism, and the weakening of social cohesion across Western nations. Ergas argues that a balance of freedom and order are needed to sustain societies or else they will risk succumbing to the enemies of democracy, who possess a vitriolic hatred of the present, yet no unifying vision of the future. The discussion critiques the evolution of multicultural ideology and the rise of antisemitism in Australia, and assesses the slow decay of shared history, identity and hopes that once defined the nation. This conversation is a s...

John Anderson hosts a candid discussion with Gerard Holland, Freya Leach and Jossiah Langton about the immense social, economic and political pressures facing Gen Z. This generation is often described as disillusioned, anxious, and disengaged, yet beneath the headlines lies a complex story shaped by economic hardship, cultural uncertainty, and a loss of shared meaning. This is a conversation with three young Australians who are working to restore, not dismantle, the institutions that hold society together. From housing affordability and family formation to energy policy and political radicalisation, the discussion considers why confidence has eroded, and what must change if...

John Anderson speaks with James Orr to examine the deeper moral, cultural, and institutional pressures shaping Britain and the wider Western world. Drawing on political philosophy, social analysis, and recent events, Orr challenges the prevailing assumption that economic management and procedural politics can sustain a stable society. He argues that questions of identity, belonging, and shared obligation now sit at the centre of national renewal. This conversation traces the erosion of social trust, the limits of rights-based politics, and the consequences of demographic and cultural fragmentation. It is a measured discussion that reorients political debate toward the moral and cultural...

John Anderson speaks with Ted Baehr, founder of Christian film review site Movieguide, to examine what contemporary film choices reveal about the moral instincts of society. Drawing on decades of data, Baehr challenges the prevailing narratives around the relationship between a film's content and its success. He argues that popular entertainment is quietly moving in a different direction from elite commentary, with films centred on family, moral clarity, and hope consistently outperforming darker and more transgressive content.This conversation traces the historical rhythms of Hollywood, from early moral storytelling to periods of decline and renewal. This is a grounded conversation...

Julian Leeser joins John Anderson for an assessment of the disturbing return of anti-semitism to the Australian public sphere. Leeser sets out the historical contours of anti-semitism and why Hamas's October 7 attacks became a catalyst for hostility on Australian soil.  The conversation criticises the failure of the current Australian government to curb anti-semitic rhetoric and acts of vandalism. Instead, it has instead chosen to legitimise the actions of Hamas by recognising a Palestinian state at the UN. This is an important discussion that urges Australia to have the courage to confront extremist, anti-democratic values and ensure every Australian is able to...

John speaks with Michelle Manook about the realities of Australia’s energy system, the misconceptions driving policy, and the widening gap between ideology and practical national interest. Manook explains why technological advances in sustainable coal production, including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and High Efficiency Low Emissions (HELE) power plants, make coal a legitimate energy option for our future. The discussion urges Australians to re-examine the assumptions embedded in net zero narratives, the economic risks posed by unreliable power, and the strategic necessity of maintaining a diverse and resilient energy mix. This is a grounded, forward-looking discussion about how nations sus...

Connor Tomlinson joins John for a compelling examination of Britain’s fractured politics and its loss of cultural self-belief. Tomlinson offers a frank account of how mass immigration and rising Islamist separatism are reshaping the social fabric of Britain. Difficult but necessary questions are examined concerning integration, national cohesion, and whether the country still has the confidence to uphold its own cultural inheritance. Despite the challenges, Tomlinson insists that renewal is still possible if Britain can rediscover the confidence to enforce its laws, protect its institutions, and expect newcomers to adopt its cultural values. This conversation is a call to re...

Join John in conversation with Helen Joyce for a measured and penetrating examination of gender ideology, the erosion of safeguarding principles, and the profound human rights concerns emerging across clinics, schools, and public institutions. Joyce warns that while the UK is returning to evidence-based practice, Australia continues to pursue practices driven by radical ideology such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and gender-affirming surgery for children.  Joyce is adamant that denying biological reality harms women, children, medical ethics, and public trust. She argues for renewed clarity, ethical courage, and respect for the rights of a child to a natural puberty and lo...