The Bunker – News without the nonsense

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has shone a spotlight onto Russia’s oligarchs. How does the Kremlin exert influence over them? And with sanctions beginning to bite, what does the future hold? Catherine Belton, Russia reporter for the Washington Post, talks to Nick Cohen about the Kremlin’s iron grip on Russia’s elite, and her own run in with oligarchs over her book Putin’s People. “The state propaganda machine can’t cover up the level of casualties forever.” “Putin has an inferiority complex. He needs the external trappings of wealth to believe he is Number One.” “UK newspapers shy away from reporting on these individuals because they know the legal costs are high.” “These oligarchs are hostages to Putin because he has a monopoly over court decisions.” “The Yeltsin tycoons have seen 30 years of empire-building undone in one fell swoop.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Nick Cohen. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Elina Ganatra. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Netflix’s share price plunged after it announced the loss of 200,000 subscribers in Q1 of 2022. What has gone wrong? And how can the platform get people subscribing again? Alex Hern, Technology Editor for The Guardian, talks to Justin Quirk about why Netflix’s growth turned static, and what the streaming service should be doing to get viewers back onboard. “This is a company and an industry that expects subscriber numbers to go up.” “The reason Netflix lost those subscribers is because they pulled out of Russia.” “Other streaming services are now able to compete in areas where Netflix was once miles ahead.” “A service with adverts could help Netflix recover some market share.” “Many households don’t even know they have access to Amazon Prime” “I don’t see a painless way out of the hole Netflix has put itself into.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Justin Quirk. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer: Elina Ganatra. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Johnson has clung on to power, but with 148 Tory rebels voting against him how long can he continue as leader? What’s next for him and the Conservative Party? In a late-night recording, the panel assess a dramatic result. Plus, Romeo Kokriatski, co-host of the Ukraine Without Hype podcast, shares the latest from Ukraine amid concerns the war is turning in Russia’s favour. And, after the Jubilee festivities, the panel discusses British eccentricity and the future of the Monarchy. “It comes back to a fundamental personality problem about Boris Johnson.” – Marie Le Conte “The booing came from what Johnson could have reasonably expected to be a home crowd.” – Justin Quirk “The enormous elephant in the room is that a large part of your party has essentially tried to eviscerate you.” – Justin Quirk “From the country’s point of view, Johnson staying on is disastrous.” – Justin Quirk “If they keep promising this gigantic reshuffle, who is going to move in order to make space?” – Marie Le Conte “The bigger issue is that there is a total policy vacuum.” – Justin Quirk “Things will have to change, the Monarchy will have to change.” – Ayesha Hazarika “There’s a huge space now for Labour to just say very explicitly, ‘What is it that you actually like about this country?’” – Justin Quirk https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Andrew Harrison with Ayesha Hazarika, Marie Le Conte and Justin Quirk. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After being jeered over the Jubilee weekend, will Johnson now be jilted by his party in a no confidence vote? With this due to be held on Monday evening, how will the results play out? Ros Taylor and Arthur Snell give their thoughts as they tee up the week ahead. Plus, they ask what’s next for the monarchy after the weekend’s celebrations, discuss the Ukraine latest and cast an eye over the Atlantic. “We will know by the end of today whether or not Boris Johnson has survived this round of attempts to get him.” – Arthur Snell "Surviving a no confidence vote doesn't mean surviving as PM, as Theresa May can tell us." – Arthur Snell "It wasn't breaking the law in Downing Street, or any other scandals, but being booed at the Jubilee." – Arthur Snell “Johnson is somebody who will cling on to the absolutely last moment possible.” – Arthur Snell www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor with Arthur Snell. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pulitzer Prize-winner Margo Jefferson tells Dorian Lynskey about her wide-ranging career as a critic. She discusses shedding light on the lives of everyone from Tina Turner to Michael Jackson, being the first Black woman book critic at Newsweek, and writing on race, class and gender at the New York Times. They also discuss her new book, Constructing a Nervous System, and ask can you ever separate art from the artist? “We're all curating our personal cultures.” "I felt I had to be impeccable to brilliant... there's a certain high standard you don't slip beneath." "I realised I could bring the critics tools of questioning and probing to myself." https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/602237/constructing-a-nervous-system-by-margo-jefferson/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As we move into virtual surroundings able to be anywhere, anyone or anything, how will that affect our minds? As the line between online and offline fades further, we look at how our personalities could shift across spaces. Dr. Alison Attrill-Smith, head of psychology online at the University of Wolverhampton, joins Alex Andreou to discuss the potential psychological impact of the metaverse. “We've had iterations such as second life, and every time something new establishes itself there seems to be a flocking to it.” “Who goes online will depend on what they're wanting to achieve.” “Everything in psychology is about goals and what people want to achieve.” “There's loads of research that shows that people project online the persona that they aspire to.” “Whether we'll be able to replicate real life interaction in the digital landscape is really debatable.” “The Proteus effect happens when people project their online persona offline.” “We’re already moving towards a world where digital access is a right, whether that becomes a human right, I'm not sure.” “To some extent we are already living in this virtual world and the metaverse is just an extension of that.” “I like to think that virtually reality has actually increased acceptance of who we really are.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Alex Andreou. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Alex Rees, Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production and original music by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How do you know the world is real? How do I know I’m real? As virtual worlds expand, our concepts of reality warp. NYU philosopher David Chalmers – author of Reality+: Virtual Worlds and the Problems of Philosophy – talks to Ros Taylor about the etiquette of virtual living, why video game characters deserve moral rights, and how we can know what we think we know. “Simulated beings could end up outnumbering non-simulated beings. So the odds that YOU are simulated could be high…” “If we’re living in a simulation, all this is still real – and our lives are still full of meaning.” https://uk.bookshop.org/books/reality-virtual-worlds-and-the-problems-of-philosophy-9780241320716/9780241320716 https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic, and Alex Rees. Assistant producer: Elina Ganatra. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Audio production and original music by Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can you enforce laws in cyberspace like you can in the real world? Facebook, now Meta, has struggled to moderate its massive platforms for over a decade, battling with national governments over how it should be regulated. Now, it's preparing to be the biggest player in a new arena - the Metaverse. Lorna Woods, professor of Internet Law, joins Ros Taylor: “The one thing we can say about the metaverse, is that it won't be what we think it is.” “Have we thought about how this service can be misused? Rather than sitting in a phase of techno-optimism about the whole thing.” “The transient nature of the content might be good, as you won't have those long shadows cast over you.” “If we want to see this freeing capacity of the metaverse then we don't want to be tied to one identity.” “We're going to have to think more broadly about how we're going to safeguard.” Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Alex Rees. Original music by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What would a normal day look like inside the metaverse? When would we plug in, and would we ever switch off? Charles Arthur, former technology editor of The Guardian and author of Social Warming: The Dangerous and Polarising Effects of Social Media, joins Ahir Shah to talk about the upsides, downsides and the practicalities of striking a virtual to real-world balance. “The day in the metaverse will be a lot of meetings, a bit like zoom.” “Travel might be a lot better than slogging through a train and people generously giving you their colds.” “Well, everything gets used for work and porn in the end.” “We’ve all been on Twitter, everyone's all mouth and no trousers.” “Maybe everyone will want to wear their headset all day long and sit in little cubes.” “Where we start to blend the real world and cyber, is augmented reality, which is where you put on glasses and you have an overlay for the real world.” “How much extra value will you get from a metaverse meeting over a zoom meeting? If that gets unlocked, then it'll all start happening.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Ahir Shah. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We explore whether Rishi Sunak’s cost of living package is enough to address the long term hardship faced by millions. Or was it yet another political manoeuvre amid Tory turmoil? Plus, we unpack the issues faced by democracies across the globe with our guest Yascha Mounk, political scientist and author of The Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure. “If Johnson can make it to the long summer break, where MPs have weeks away, that might allow people to calm down a little.” – Arthur Snell “I think the really difficult economic stuff is going to be next winter. It goes from something you worry about to something that fundamentally changes the way you live your life.” – Arthur Snell "The government has a tendency to respond too late." - Yasmeen Serhan “A lot of discourse would be improved if people were forced to watch one focus group per week.” – Yascha Mounk “You make better arguments when you know what your opponent means as well.” – Yasmeen Serhan “I would distinguish between the angry minority and the majority of people.” – Yascha Mounk https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor with Arthur Snell and Yasmeen Serhan. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees, with research by Elina Ganatra. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With yet another party allegation, how will the PM deal with another twist in this neverending scandal? With a further inquiry being called for – how might this play out in the coming days? Plus, America’s gun debate remains at the fore across the Atlantic. And in Northern Ireland, can Stormont break the deadlock and nominate a speaker? Alex Andreou talks to Naomi Smith about what we can expect to happen this week. “Apparently people are beyond accountability now.” – Naomi Smith "It doesn’t look like we’re heading anywhere to where the gun lobby doesn’t have a vice-like grip on American politics.” – Naomi Smith “People are suffering from all sorts of things other than Brexit in Northern Ireland.” – Naomi Smith “Businesses are crying out for visas to be handed out to people with all skills and none.” – Naomi Smith www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Alex Andreou with Naomi Smith. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Africa is made up of 54 different countries – so why is it so often talked about as one singular place? Dipo Faloyin, a senior editor at Vice and author of Africa is Not a Country, joins Jelena Sofronijevic to discuss the continent’s diversity and how that’s been erased in everyday discussions. What led to the condensed view of today and how can we properly engage with the region? “People would rather see the entire region as a singular monolith, instead of a region that can be anything.” “Too many people have grown up with this idea of Africa as a singular monolith.” “Often when we talk about Africa we look at it from 1,000 miles up in the air or we look at it through the lens of safari, and that isn’t the reality for people on the ground.” “It’s always just so sad to hear that people when they think of Africa they see it as a problem.” “It’s hard to get people to see Africa in a different way when they’re still bombarded with images of babies with flies around their head.” “The most important thing is that we start to see vast stories of success, failure, love. That’s something that’s really missing across the pop culture landscape.” “The history of Africa is also the history of the UK.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Jelena Sofronijevic. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

36 years after the original, Tom Cruise returns for Top Gun: Maverick, plus we don our parkas as we listen to the new album from Liam Gallagher, Come On You Know. Legendary music writer and broadcaster Paul Morley, joins us to talk Island Records, Factory Records, and ALL records, and we get comfy in our nests, to watch the latest major Sky adaptation of The Midwich Cuckoos. And Jelena heads out to the Southbank Centre to speak to International Booker Prize shortlister, Mieko Kawakami. Hear all the music on our rolling playlists. Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b Presented and produced by Siân Pattenden and Alex Andreou. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Co-produced by Jelena Sofronijevic and Elina Ganatra. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Islander/Chris-Blackwell/9781982172695 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Monkeypox has hit the headlines with its spread in Europe. What is it? How do we deal with it? And should we be worried? With people on high alert to illnesses due to COVID, we unpack the differences and put context around what’s really going on. Dr. Charlotte Hammer, a fellow in emerging infectious diseases at Downing College Cambridge, explains the virus to Jacob Jarvis. “Monkeypox actually does not come from monkeys, it comes from rodents in central Africa.” “The symptoms are pretty unspecific. A fever, backache and muscle pain, progressing onto a rash are all common.” “In medical terms, monkeypox is a mild but unpleasant disease.” “At the moment, there is very limited risk to the general population.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As scientists seek extraterrestrial life, what would we do if we actually found it? How would we manage first contact, and could we even communicate with aliens? Franck Marchis, a senior planetary astronomer from the SETI Institute, unpacks the prospect with Andrew Harrison – and the idea aliens might already know we’re here, but we’re too boring for them to care. “The most important question is intelligent life.” “This discovery will not be a big surprise for a lot of humans on this planet.” “If we find a civilisation slightly more advanced to us, maybe 100 years, they may be much more intelligent in terms of technology.” “We may not see them because perhaps their technology is invisible to us.” “We have been visible as a civilisation for at least 100 years, so they know we are here if they have slightly better technology.” “I believe that there is microbiological life everywhere, but the key thing is the I in SETI - intelligence.” “It's obvious if you analyse our planet that there is a civilisation there.” “Maybe the future of our civilisation is purely mechanical or technological rather than biological.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant Producer: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the Prime Minister is caught red wine handed, we discuss the crises facing Britain alongside the partygate furore. We unpack the further issues looming as the cost of living situation goes from bad to worse. Is there an end in sight? Plus, why do we still pay so much attention to newspaper front pages? Lord Peter Ricketts, former national security adviser and ambassador to France, is this week’s guest. “I don’t know why you would bring someone along to photograph your crime.” – Ahir Shah “The only reason I can see for the Government not introducing a windfall tax is that it’s Labour’s idea.” – Ahir Shah “It’s always popular with the Tory right to cut the Civil Service.” – Peter Ricketts “There’s one person who sets the culture in Government and that’s the Prime Minister.” – Peter Ricketts “The world is beset with a whole series of different crises.” – Peter Ricketts “Those who are going to carry the blame for this are the civil servants, they’ve been lined up as scapegoats here.” – Peter Ricketts “We’ve got a very rocky few years ahead.” – Peter Ricketts “The frontpage is a news outlet's way of signalling to its readers what they should be paying attention to.” – Yasmeen Serhan https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Andrew Harrison with Ahir Shah and Yasmeen Serhan. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees, with research by Elina Ganatra. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sue Gray’s final partygate report is due, meaning a long week ahead for Boris Johnson. What can we expect it to contain? Meanwhile, the cost of living crisis continues to deepen. Is a windfall tax on energy companies inevitable? Plus, we discuss Australia’s new Prime Minister and the latest from Ukraine. Justin Quirk is joined by Alex Andreou to tee up the days ahead. “It’s damaging the Government all the time because it has reversed all their soft ratings.” — Alex Andreou “The charge of dishonesty is really difficult to get out of.’ – Alex Andreou “A windfall tax is entirely logical.” – Alex Andreou “Scott Morrison's loss is a blow to Johnson's government." – Alex Andreou "The notion that you're a shyster getting away with stuff sticks with the public." – Alex Andreou Presented by Justin Quirk with Alex Andreou. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NEW PODCAST: In a brand new 6-part series, Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey explore the histories of the most misrepresented ideas in politics. Here’s a taster of the first episode: McCarthyism. Was it really a crusade against communists or just a grifter’s opportunity that got out of hand? How did a witch-hunt morph into a way to denounce any critic, no matter who? And did Joe McCarthy really write the rulebook for Trumpism? Get the full episode here: https://kite.link/OS1McCarthy Back Origin Story on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/originstorypod Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey and Ian Dunt. Audio production by Jade Bailey and Alex Rees. Music by Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Origin Story is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Blows to the head are commonplace in a range of sports – why do the risks often go unspoken? What happens to the brain when athletes take these knocks? Alex Rees speaks to Hana Walker-Brown about her book A Delicate Game: Brain Injury, Sport and Sacrifice, in which she chronicles degenerative brain disease, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, and the tragedies which have gone under the radar. “There are things that are changing, but they’re changing very slowly.” “The rules need to come from above and be implemented.” “It’s important to note, concussion is a brain injury.” “To consider that sport might have to change gets people’s backs up.” “There’s something about the thrill of watching people get hurt.” “The brain needs to be protected.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Audio production by TBC. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pop culture roundup: Can we plumb the depths of Kendrick Lamar’s dazzling, disturbing Mr Morale & The Big Steppers? Has Harry Styles squared the teen idol/suave-pop circle? UK hip-pop talent Murkage Dave joins us. The songwriting genius of Michael Head. And Night Sky, an Amazon drama about the portal to outer space in Sissy Spacek’s back garden. Really. Journalist Johnny Davis of Esquire and The Face rounds out the panel. Hear all the music on our rolling playlists. Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b Presented and produced by Andrew Harrison and Siân Pattenden. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Co-produced by Jelena Sofronijevic and Elina Ganatra. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Authoritarian leaders are dominating 21st century politics. How did this new generation of strongmen rise to power? Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs commentator for the Financial Times, joins Nick Cohen to discuss his new book The Age of The Strongman, which covers the rise of the modern-day dictator, and what their leadership means for the world. “There was always going to be a backlash against the ‘end of history’ way of doing things.” “With the West having gone through the financial crisis, it wasn’t hard for China to say ‘we are the future’.” “For the key period of getting Brexit done, Boris Johnson did follow the strongman tradition.” “If Putin had won a quick victory in Ukraine, it would’ve been a huge boost for the strongman ideal.” ”Trump changed the rhetoric of America. He embraced Putin’s arguments.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Nick Cohen. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eleven of the fifteen postwar Prime Ministers went to Oxford. How did their privileged upbringing change the U.K? The FT’s Simon Kuper talks to Ros Taylor about how the entitled atmospheres of Oxford and Eton shaped modern Britain, detailed in his latest book Chums. “Boris Johnson was probably the best known person at Oxford in his day.” “It’s a great advantage in politics to have a recognisable brand, and Eton encourages that.” “Johnson learnt all his debating tricks from the Oxford Union.” “The problem with being Prime Minister is you have to offer substance, and Johnson can’t do that.” “Daniel Hannan is the Karl Marx of Brexit. He is one of the most important figures in British history.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We look at the Government’s culture war push as people are told to just work harder to beat the cost of living crisis. What bargain bin policies are being used to shift attention from the hardship so many are facing? Plus, as those struggling are told to budget their way out of poverty, we look at the ludicrous money saving advice being dished out. And finally, the panel marks the end of the iPod. Freelance writer and columnist Hannah Fearn is this week’s guest. “All politicians, no matter how charmed, reach a point where their luck runs out.” – Justin Quirk “A lot of aspects of poverty have been rendered invisible.” – Justin Quirk “What I find weird is Britain's fetishisation of poverty.” – Marie Le Conte “Any government that doesn't care that children are growing up in poverty shouldn't be a government.” – Hannah Fearn “People are thinking about how to feed their children, not the Brexit election strategy.” – Hannah Fearn " “Blaming Brexit for what's happening at home won't cut it.” – Hannah Fearn https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Andrew Harrison with Justin Quirk and Marie Le Conte. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees, with research by Elina Ganatra. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. The Bunker is a Podmasters Production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Finland and Sweden look to join Nato, we unpack the latest from Ukraine as Putin faces consequences for his invasion. How will the Russian leader react amid signs of defeat? Then at home, we discuss the latest Brexit wranglings over the Northern Ireland protocol. Plus, questions of Keir Starmer’s leadership persist. Is he really in trouble? Ros Taylor is joined by Yasmeen Serhan to tee up the week ahead, and glance back at the weekend’s Eurovision contest. “Ukraine has exceeded people’s wildest expectations.” – Yasmeen Serhan “Putin has created a larger and more attractive NATO.” – Yasmeen Serhan “With the protocol it feels like we are back in 2019 again.” – Yasmeen Serhan “I was primed for the UK to not win any points because that’s what I’d been told always happens.” – Yasmeen Serhan www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor with Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production: Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Joe Biden’s poll ratings have been underwater for months. What is the state of his presidency? Dorian Lynskey speaks to Dr. Thomas Gift, founding director of UCL’s Centre on US Politics, to discuss the Democrat’s tenure so far. Is a Trump rematch on the cards, and could Biden win again? And if not him, could anyone else come to his party’s rescue in 2024? Plus, what will the prospect of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade mean for the Democratic leader? “If I look at the democratic field right now, I can't see a very deep bench.” “If Trump does run again it becomes less of a referendum of the last 4 years, and more about who voters prefer - Trump or Biden?” “There have also been factors outside of Biden's control that have contributed to his low polling numbers.” “The notion of Trumpism, and what this represents, is just so strong.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis Producers: Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices