The Bunker – News without the nonsense

Anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny is the man Vladimir Putin fears most. Now a new documentary tells his story. Director Daniel Roher joins Arthur Snell to discuss his latest film Navalny, which tells the story of one man and his struggle with an authoritarian regime, and what the future holds for Russia and Putin in light of the invasion of Ukraine. “Navalny’s people were just waiting for that knock at the door.” “How can this guy who does this dangerous work not think about his mortality? The rest of the of the world does.” “Navalny showed the Russian people that they don’t have to be afraid of Putin.” “Navalny reminds us that we must not be apathetic. Evil proliferates when good people do nothing.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Arthur Snell. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We live in a culture obsessed with the spectacle of youth. One in five Britons will be over 65 by 2030 – with the fastest-growing age group being the over-85s. What are the implications for us as a country with an increasingly ageing population? What are the issues that need challenging and policies that need changing? And how should we think about ourselves as ageing people? Tim Whitaker, Vice-Chair of Positive Ageing London, talks to Jude Rogers about the future of ageing. “When you're 100, you normally get a letter from the Queen. That will have to change.” “Older people contribute to society in different ways than younger people.” “There's a danger of ghettoising older people by sending them into care homes.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Jude Rogers. 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

Is Johnson’s hit job on Sunak distracting from a Tory brand that’s falling apart? Does the West have the stomach for sanctions that will really bite on Russia? New Statesman editor Jason Cowley goes in search of the must mysterious country on Earth: England. And while Channel 4 is still around, what are the C4 programmes we love? Zoe Williams of The Guardian and Justin Quirk join Andrew Harrison for this week’s roundtable Bunker. “How is it sexist for Akshata Murthy to be asked to pay taxes in our own country? The sexism defence is just a ju-jitsu deployment of our own values against us.” – Zoe Williams “It was legally correct for Sunak’s wife to have non-dom status, ethically dubious – and politically ridiculous.” – Jason Cowley “It’s really puzzling what it takes for the British public to riot, and what it takes for the authorities to take it seriously.” – Zoe Williams “What Gareth Southgate showed is that you don’t have to choose between Englishness and tradition.” – Jason Cowley https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Andrew Harrison with Justin Quirk and Zoe Williams. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic . Assistant producer Elina Ganatra. Music by Kenny Dickinson. 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 the far right’s Marine Le Pen runs off against Macron, could France fall to extreme populism? Plus the briefing war against Sunak, Johnson’s photo op visit to Kyiv and Russia resets its war aims. Gavin Esler sets up the week ahead with Andrew Harrison. “A Le Pen presidency in France would be another victory for Putin.” “The real scandal in British politics is not what is illegal, it’s what is allowed.” “It is possible that Le Pen could win if the French decide, like America did, that they just want a bit of entertainment.” Presented by Andrew Harrison. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Assistant producer Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Britain now removes more children from their parents than ever before. Is it possible to mend broken families? Polly Curtis, journalist and author of Behind Closed Doors, talks to Ros Taylor about complex factors that lead to families being split up, how the system fails both mothers and fathers, and what can be done to make sure it works for everyone. “We probably all know someone who has had a brush with the social services system.” “A lot of these kids don’t want to be separated, they just want their parents to change.” “There is going to be a new leap in transparency in the family courts, and that will open our eyes to these cases.” “Being told by the state you’re a failed parent is laden with the most horrific shame.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On our pop culture round-up: BBC2’s “genuinely moving” Paul Gascoigne documentary, reggae legend Horace Andy returns, and is Apple TV+ spy drama Slow Horses a Tinker, Tailor for the 21st Century? Teenage Fanclub’s Norman Blake joins us along with legendary beer writer Pete Brown – new book Clubland: How the Working Men’s Club Shaped Britain available for pre-order now. Hear all the music on our rolling playlists. Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b “I found ‘Gazza’ incredibly moving and upsetting. I was watching it in tears.” – Pete Brown on ‘Gazza’ “The best part of ‘Gazza’ is you see that this gift is really a curse.” – Andrew Harrison on ‘Gazza’ “It’s the sound of a band knowing they’re creating something glorious but not sure that they can control it, like the wheels could fall of at any minute” – Pete Brown on New Order’s Temptation Presented by Siân Pattenden and Andrew Harrison. Producer Jelena Sofronijevic with Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Money makes the world go round, but how does it actually work? With economies across the globe in flux, understanding cash, currencies and crypto has never been more important. Gavin Jackson, lead writer for the Financial Times, joins Ahir Shah to talk about his new book Money in One Lesson: How it Works and Why, which covers the most important questions about money and how it shapes our societies. “Money is something we all believe in, but we’re not entirely sure why.” “We didn’t start with barter, the first money was actually made out of clay tablets.” “Hyperinflation only happens when a government decides something is more important than stopping hyperinflation.” “Bitcoin is an attempt to opt-out of the banking system we’ve become used to.” “Deflation, when prices fall, is actually a lot worse than inflation as our debts don’t change.” “If you’re interested in people, you should be interested in money. It tells us so much about who we are.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ahir Shah. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For millions of people, social media isn’t a source of entertainment or information, but a way to reinvent themselves. So what if you could stop being a loser of our economic system by winning the internet’s attention? Channel 4 reporter Symeon Brown talks to Justin Quirk about his book Get Rich or Lie Trying, his gripping expose of fraud, exploitation, misogyny, environmental destruction, and the dodgy financial traders of Instagram. “Anyone promising guaranteed returns is almost certainly a scammer.” “The Wolf of Wall Street is just hip hop in a film.” “Influencer traders rule the platforms, and the platforms are almost unable to respond.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Justin Quirk. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production https://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/get-rich-or-lie-trying/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Russia’s withdrawal from some areas of Ukraine has unveiled new depths to the atrocities committed under Putin. With horrific images showing civilians’ bodies in the streets of Bucha, the panel unpacks what will come of these revelations. Plus, we look at how the cost of living crisis is biting those who might have been insulated so far. This week’s guest is The Independent’s political sketch writer Tom Peck. “All the cards are not in Putin’s hands. Putin has got immense problems.” – Gavin Esler “Putin has put himself in a trap of his own making.” – Yasmeen Serhan “It’s hard to imagine seeing worse images than the ones we saw in recent days.” – Yasmeen Serhan "The battle for Ukraine is not being won or lost on the front pages of British newspapers." – Tom Peck “Historically, when things get difficult for the middle classes, things get difficult for the Tories.” – Tom Peck "When you cut Universal Credit, you clobber the powerless and the voiceless." – Tom Peck Find resources to help the Ukrainian people here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Andrew Harrison with Gavin Esler and Yasmeen Serhan. 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

With Russia accused of massacring civilians in Ukraine, we look at the world’s reaction, and what will come next. How can nations push harder to punish Putin? Plus, we unpack the Hungarian election results, with Viktor Orbán having won a fourth term. And back home, partygate continues to rumble on. Alex Andreou and Arthur Snell look at the week ahead. "Billions of Euros are sent to Russia for gas. Banning it would have a huge impact on Russia’s economy in the medium term.” – Arthur Snell “One hoped that Orban’s closeness to Putin might have changed the outcome of the election.” – Arthur Snell “If you’re in a town which doesn’t vote for Orban, then you’ll find yourself starved of resources.” – Arthur Snell “I don’t think the British public have moved on over partygate.” – Arthur Snell Find resources to help the Ukrainian people here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Alex Andreou 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

What is life like for Hong Kong activists detained then forced into exile after daring to defy Beijing? Simon Cheng was imprisoned in 2019, and fled to Britain later that year, establishing the expat group Hongkongers in Britain. He talks to Ros Taylor about his brutal experience in detention, his new life and the threat to democracy in his home city. “Increasingly the younger generation in Hong Kong don’t think they are Chinese.” “Provided the regime isn’t changed, I have no chance of going back to Hong Kong.” “I miss my hometown, my friends and my family, but I need to be able speak out freely.” “One day if the regime changes, we could be back in Hong Kong with democracy and freedom.” “I will continue to speak out for those people who can’t speak in Hong Kong.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We welcome indie-rockin’ winger Pat Nevin (Chelsea, Everton, the Camden Falcon) to talk music and his new book The Accidental Footballer. Plus Wet Leg’s long-awaited debut album, Marvel’s Egyptological psycho-drama Moon Knight, Oscar-winning deaf family dramady Coda, an erotically-charged Ruth Wilson in True Things AKA 9½ Weeks In Ramsgate… and much, much more. Hear all the music on our rolling playlists. Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b “I once managed to fit four Camera Obscura references into one sentence of commentary.” – Pat Nevin “Ruth Wilson’s character feels like a real woman… If not yourself then definitely someone you know.” – Anna Smith “The truly ignorant person is the one that thinks they know everything.” – Pat Nevin Presented by Siân Pattenden and Andrew Harrison. Producer Jelena Sofronijevic with Elina Ganatra. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jacques Peretti’s mother, Alina, survived World War Two in Poland, Siberia, and finally, Auschwitz. They talk to Siân Pattenden about their book, Little Bird of Auschwitz, coming to terms with how Alina understood the Holocaust as a child, finding the courage to put harrowing memories to paper …and how the investigative journalist learned more about the woman who would never let him call her “Mum”. “My mum took a Zhivago-esque Odyssey across Europe.” - Jacques Peretti “I wasn't brave enough to write this book myself, but my son gave me the opportunity.” - Alina Peretti “People assume that the Holocaust was a Jewish experience. But the degenerate category extended to anyone the Nazis didn't like.” - Jacques Peretti “The debate between Hitler and his officers happened right in front of my mum.” - Alina Peretti https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Siân Pattenden. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production https://www.hodder.co.uk/titles/jacques-peretti/little-bird-of-auschwitz/9781473646438/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Loneliness is something we’ve all felt at some point in our lives, particularly throughout COVID. But it can also have great value for society. Philosopher and social human rights expert Professor Kimberley Brownlee guides Ros Taylor through the important questions about being alone. Is solitary confinement an effective form of punishment? Have isolation policies been effective during the pandemic, or have they exposed care homes as “warehouses” for the elderly? And is loneliness really a moral injustice? “Our social needs are needs with a capital N. We thirst for connection.” “In China, children have a legal duty to visit and engage with their elderly parents.” “We risk becoming socially malnourished without even being aware of it.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Producers: Jacob Archbold and Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What a difference a week makes. Rishi Sunak’s stock has plummeted dramatically, how far can it fall? We unpick the Chancellor’s sorry Spring Statement. Plus, while COVID cases are rising, free tests are being ditched in England. What could possibly go wrong? And with three-time grand slam champ Ash Barty retiring from tennis, we weigh up the pros and cons of quitting while you’re ahead. “Sunak had an absolute shocker. Day one the headlines were awful from both sides.” – Miatta Fahnbulleh “I don’t think Sunak expected this backlash, which shows how out of step with the country he is.” – Miatta Fahnbulleh “I think this is worse than the Osborne years.” – Miatta Fahnbulleh “It’s very easy to get popular shoving money into people’s mouths.” – Ahir Shah “We’re seeing the real Rishi Sunak, and people are horrified.” – Ahir Shah “Hospital workers having to pay for their own tests to make sure they’re safe to work is insane.” – Justin Quirk Presented by Andrew Harrison with Ahir Shah, Justin Quirk and Miatta Fahnbulleh. 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

As fallout from Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement boosts tensions in Government, we look at how this might unravel further. And with Zelenskyy suggesting Ukraine could consider Russia’s neutrality demands, is there hope for an end to the war? Plus, rising COVID cases, Prince William’s reflections on his Caribbean tour and a controversial night at the Oscars. Ros Taylor and Alex Andreou look at the week ahead. “This seems like a very slow-moving war of attrition, that Russia is losing." – Alex Andreou "Even allies on the same side of a war have different objectives." – Alex Andreou "The UK still sees itself as the dominant entity in the Commonwealth." – Alex Andreou "Will Smith's actions have overshadowed the achievements of other people." – Alex Andreou Find resources to help the Ukrainian people here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor 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

Just 9% of all the plastic ever produced on planet Earth has been recycled. So where does the other 91% go? Despite our demand for disposable goods, the UK is hardly a plastic mountain. From litter on the Turkish littoral, to the second-hand textiles that flood Africa’s markets and South America’s deserts, there’s a chasm between where environmental damage is created, and where its impact is most destructively felt. Istanbul-based journalist Ruth Michaelson tells Jelena Sofronijevic about how we can tackle the West’s problem with waste, without simply outsourcing the climate crisis overseas… “There is a whole global chain of underpaid labour that suffers when you put your plastic bottle in the recycling bin.” “If we were not exporting our plastic waste, we would have to think about what we are doing with it.” “There's a whack-a-mole quest to find new destinations for plastic waste.” “The countries that claim to recycle the most also export the most waste.” “Environmental responsibility should fall on individual companies, not countries.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented and produced by Jelena Sofronijevic. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Audio production by Alex Rees. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week’s pop culture review: Aldous Harding’s couture cocoon-pop, bizarre Betamax horror in new movie Broadcast Signal Intrusion, and Sky doc Super Greed charts the fiasco that was the European Super League. Journo, DJ and football fiend Anthony Teasdale helps Siân and Andrew run the VAR van of entertainment. Hear all the music on our rolling playlists. Spotify: https://bit.ly/CultBunk Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/1aea7525-7891-4a88-8474-a08c45ea064b “Somehow the horror is more horrifying because it taps into childhood fears.” – Sian on Broadcast Signal Intrusion “What’s more rebellious and punk rock than building a warm and furry barrier against the outside world?” – Andrew on Aldous Harding Written and presented by Siân Pattenden and Andrew Harrison. Producer Jelena Sofronijevic. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How can historical fiction be relevant to today’s society but faithful to the facts of the past? Author Laura Shepherd-Robinson joins Nick Cohen to discuss her approach, as she talks us through her novel Daughters of Night, a crime thriller set in the brothels of Georgian London. “When writing my books I choose to focus on issues that still have great resonance today.” “Many MPs declared that their main reason for going in Parliament was to defend slavery and those who practiced it.” “An average prostitute in Georgian London could make in one night what a housemaid made in a year.” “The Georgian period was a time when we were turning our minds towards liberal democracy.” “Working in politics you see power dynamics close up, and that helped when writing this book.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Nick Cohen. 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

The pandemic and a decade of underfunding has ground courts to a halt in England and Wales. How can this be fixed? Joanna Hardy-Susskind, of Red Lion Chambers, joins Ros Taylor to unpack the issues. As criminal barristers prepare to take industrial action over levels of legal aid funding, they address the implications for those in the legal system, and what the Government needs to be doing. “This is not action criminal barristers want to take, and we don’t take it lightly at all.” “The backlog in the justice system has created a perfect storm, with many barristers now leaving.” “It’s a ticking time bomb, this profession could easily slip backwards in terms of diversity.” “We don’t have enough barristers, there are trials taking place where the defence or prosecution chairs are empty.” “Sometimes I represent people who are innocent, and the wait for justice is crippling.” www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ros Taylor. 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

As a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine is discussed, could Vladimir Putin’s word possibly be trusted? Is his sway both in and outside his nation waning? We look at the chances of an agreement and what one might look like. Plus, we assess economic crises and talk about the prospect of more prescriptive healthcare in a world changed by COVID. Dr. Marc Berenson, senior lecturer at King’s Russia Institute, is this week’s guest. "It’s hard for Ukraine to give anything up because they haven’t done anything wrong.” – Ayesha Hazarika “Putin has solidified the unity of the EU.” – Ayesha Hazarika “Ethics don’t pay the bills, and governments around the world are seeing gas prices soar.” – Yasmeen Serhan Find resources to help the Ukrainian people here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Alex Andreou with Ayesha Hazarika and Yasmeen Serhan. 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

With ongoing devastation in Ukraine and a biting cost of living crisis here at home, the outlook remains bleak. The Government remains under ever-increasing scrutiny – is there any indication of positive change, or just hints at political manoeuvres? Will those in need continue to face the brunt of the hardship? Justin Quirk is joined by Naomi Smith to look at the week ahead. “We’re failing refugees the world over, I’m afraid.” – Naomi Smith “In organisations with a bad culture, a bad output, the fish rots from the head.” – Naomi Smith “We have seen precisely nothing of a substance that will help to level up the country.” – Naomi Smith “We need an intervention that isn’t just about tax cuts but also help for those on low incomes.” – Naomi Smith Find resources to help the Ukrainian people here: https://ukrainewar.carrd.co/ Presented by Justin Quirk 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

Whatever you think of him, Nigel Farage has been one of Britain’s most influential politicians. His campaign to take the UK out of the EU went from a fringe viewpoint to government policy, but how did he do it? Political journalist Michael Crick joins Dorian Lynskey to discuss his latest book One Party After Another, which takes a deep dive into the life of one of Britain’s most controversial political characters. “Farage is the most important politician of this century.” “I wouldn’t write off the idea of this net-zero referendum happening.” “You can understand why Farage admires Vladimir Putin, he uses many of the same methods.” “The Conservatives were terrified of Farage getting into the House of Commons.” “Farage’s GB News contract has meant fewer appearances on other broadcast outlets.” “Farage is addicted to public attention, he would rarely turn down an interview.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Dorian Lynskey. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hear all the music on our rolling playlist: https://bit.ly/CultBunk Dr Catherine Anne Davies, AKA Welsh multi-instrumentalist The Anchoress, joins us on the rerelease of The Art of Losing – and for an album whose central theme is loss, there are as many bangers as you can wave a stick at. Plus, death on the installment plan - podcast producer Rob Fitzpatrick talks about series two of Upload on Amazon Prime, and Classic Objects, the new album from Norwegian musician and novelist Jenny Hval. And there’s a buzz around Balkan cinema, as Siân and Jelena see award-winning Kosovan post-conflict movie HIVE. “My songs are not Nick Cave mournful ballads, but Dylan Thomas rages against the dying of the light.” - Catherine Anne Davies “I thought that rock stars couldn't have PhDs. But I'm also proud of myself for my lyrics rhyming Monopoly and misogyny.” - Catherine Anne Davies “Amazon Prime series often poke fun at the platform that sustains them.” - Sian Pattenden “Religion was the way we made sense of life and death, and now we do it with TV.” - Catherine Anne Davies “I found a sonic freedom and enjoyment in Jenny Hval's Classic Objects.” - Rob Fitzpatrick Written and presented by Siân Pattenden and Alex Andreou. Audio production by Alex Rees. Theme music: ‘Bunker Theme (Juntos Mix)’ by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. The Culture Bunker is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why is Britain so accommodating to the super-rich? Oliver Bullough, author of Butler to the World talks to Ahir Shah to discuss how our nation came to assist kleptocrats to the extent we see today. As question marks over oligarchs’ riches hit the headlines, we look at how we got here. “There is this deeply ingrained service industry that helps anyone with money do anything.” “Whoever they are, if they’ve got money, we’ll take their money and help them solve their problems.” “We don’t stop people doing things, we help people do things.” “The problem isn’t Russian money, it’s money. And if it wasn’t Russian money it would be someone else’s money.” https://www.patreon.com/bunkercast Presented by Ahir Shah. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Lead Producer: Jacob Jarvis. Producers: Jacob Archbold, Jelena Sofronijevic and Alex Rees. Audio production by Jade Bailey. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices