The John Batchelor Show

1,589 episodes — Page 13 of 32

The John Batchelor Show

S8 Ep957: (3) Jonathan Sayeh reports that the U.S. blockade has caused a sharp decline in Iranian oil exports, though it has not yet reached a level of total economic catastrophe. The Iranian regime is demanding the total elimination of all sanctions and access to

S8 Ep957: (2) Bill Roggio argues that the term "ceasefire" regarding the Strait of Hormuz is a misnomer, as the United States and Iran continue to launch fresh strikes against one another. Roggio characterizes the situation as confusing for the American public beca

S8 Ep957: (1) John Batchelor and Bill Roggio introduce the global landscape of current conflicts, noting that reporting on these issues is often marginalized by major newspapers. The segment focuses on Syria, where the self-appointed president, Al-Shara, is holding

S8 Ep956: Preview for Later Today: Samuel Ben-ur discusses Hamas's continued threat in Gaza despite shifting battlefield dynamics. He explores IDF operations, leadership objectives under Netanyahu, and the challenges of securing the region while Hamas remains armed

S8 Ep956: Preview for Later Today: Rick Fisher examines the competition between the U.S. Space Force and China's militarized astronaut brigade. He highlights dual-use technologies on the moon and the importance of defending lunar assets if global geopolitics turn s

S8 Ep956: Preview for Later Today: John Hardie analyzes the drone war in Ukraine, noting the tactical advantage Starlink and Western AI provide for mid-range strikes. He contrasts Ukrainian logistics targeting with Russia's focus on energy infrastructure and specia

S8 Ep956: Preview for Later Today: Peter Huessy explains battlefield nuclear doctrines, contrasting Western deterrent strategies with Russia's coercive use of nuclear threats. He discusses how these tensions influence NATO's involvement in Ukraine and ongoing Russi

S8 Ep956: Preview for Later Today: Jonathan Sayeh reports on the Iranian people's discouragement regarding the lack of U.S. support for regime change. He discusses abandoned mobilization plans and the potential, yet controversial, use of specific Kurdish separatist

S8 Ep956: Preview for Later Today: Ahmed Sharawi discusses Iran's persistent ambition to dominate Syria and rebuild the strategic highway to Beirut. He emphasizes that Iran continues exploiting Syrian territory to empower and rearm its regional proxies, specificall

S8 Ep955: (3) Finally, the pair shifts to Persian diplomacy and the "dispensation for deception." Germanicus explains how Iran uses strategic deceit to survive existential threats, specifically aiming to separate United States interests from Israel. They speculat

S8 Ep955: (2) Continuing their debate, Gaius and Germanicus debunk the "Thucydides Trap," labeling it a modern "literary invention" rather than a historical law. They argue the Peloponnesian War was not an inevitable clash but was triggered by Pericles baiting Spar

S8 Ep955: (1) In 92 AD, at their Londinium wine bar, Gaius and Germanicus critique the "American way of war," arguing it has failed by abandoning war's sacred ritual roots. In antiquity, war forged civic bonds and served as an apotheosis where performance and sacri

S8 Ep954: (8) Bob Zimmerman concludes by revisiting the Apollo 1 catastrophe, where three astronauts died due to "hubris" and careless engineering on the launchpad. This failure forced NASA to adopt total honesty, resulting in critical safety redesigns like the

S8 Ep954: (7) Bob Zimmerman describes how the mission's return depended on a high-stakes Trans-Earth Injection burn, after which Jim Lovell famously radioed that "there is a Santa Claus." Zimmerman describes a navigation crisis where Lovell accidentally wiped the c

S8 Ep954: (6) Bob Zimmerman shares the backstory of the iconic Earthrise photo and the legendary Christmas Eve broadcast. He clarifies that while there was friction over who took the photograph, Bill Anders captured the famous color version. For the broadcast, whic

S8 Ep954: (5) Bob Zimmerman reflects on the Cold War context of 1968, a year defined by Vietnam, riots, and political assassinations. Zimmerman disputes the idea that NASA had a "military culture," describing it instead as a civilian organization using World War II

S8 Ep954: (4) Bob Zimmerman recounts how, during the critical Lunar Orbit Insertion, the crew fired the SPS engine behind the moon with no communication and no backup; failure meant certain death. Upon arrival, the astronauts were initially disappointed by the moon

S8 Ep954: (3) Bob Zimmerman examines the Soviet Zond program, noting that failures like Zond 4's self-destruction and Zond 6's atmosphere loss prevented the Russians from launching cosmonauts first. This created a vacuum that NASA manager George Low filled by propo

S8 Ep954: (2) Bob Zimmerman details the December 21, 1968, launch and the historic trans-lunar injection that sent humans toward another planet for the first time. Zimmerman describes the Saturn 5 ride as surprisingly smooth compared to Gemini rockets, despite the

S8 Ep954: (1) Bob Zimmerman introduces the Apollo 8 crew—Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders—noting their deep military backgrounds and commitment to American ideals. Borman is described as an intensely honest leader driven by duty, while Lovell is characteri

S8 Ep953: (8) Timothy Ryback recounts how on January 30, 1933, Hitler is finally summoned to become Chancellor. The appointment hinges on a frantic, last-minute negotiation in Hindenburg's foyer with media mogul Alfred Hugenberg, who reluctantly joins the coalition

S8 Ep952: (7) Timothy Ryback describes how on January 28, 1933, the political crisis peaks as Kurt von Schleicher confronts Hindenburg, requesting martial law to stabilize the disintegrating Nazi threat. Hindenburg, increasingly stubborn and weary of Schleicher's m

S8 Ep952: (6) Timothy Ryback explains that by early 1933, the Nazi Party faces financial ruin, owing an estimated 90 million marks, and continues to lose ground in state elections. To exploit this weakness, Chancellor Kurt von Schleicher attempts to split the NSDAP

S8 Ep952: (5) Timothy Ryback recounts how the November 1932 defeat leaves the Nazi Party in a state of gloom, leading many to believe Hitler is "washed up." However, political desperation drives Franz von Papen to reach out to Hitler, hoping to salvage his own unpo

S8 Ep952: (4) Timothy Ryback describes how, during the fall campaign of 1932, Hitler pioneers the use of an airplane to reach "heartland Germany," visiting up to six locations daily. This allows him to bypass a government radio ban and reach rural voters untouched

S8 Ep952: (3) Timothy Ryback explains how, following Hitler's refusal to join a coalition, the Nazis adopt a strategy of "obstructionist politics" to paralyze the Reichstag. With 230 seats, they create a legislative gridlock, preventing any laws from passing and fo

S8 Ep952: (2) Timothy Ryback introduces the key power brokers of the 1932–1933 drama. On Hitler's side is Gregor Strasser, the gregarious "socialist" organizer who built the party's national infrastructure while Hitler provided the nationalist fanaticism. Opposing

S8 Ep952: (1) Timothy Ryback describes how on August 13, 1932, Adolf Hitler meets President Paul von Hindenburg in Berlin. Despite the Nazis holding 37% of the electorate, Hindenburg refuses to grant Hitler the chancellorship, offering instead a secondary role in a

S8 Ep951: ### **Bazball Blunders and Vandalizing Cockatoos** Guest Jeremy Zakis critiques England’s aggressive "Bazball" cricket strategy, noting Brendan McCullum’s new five-point plan focused on professionalism and pressure management for the upcoming Ashes. Zakis

S8 Ep951: Preview for Later Today: Jeremy Zakis reports that warm weather has disrupted snake hibernation, keeping venomous brown and red-belly black snakes active in suburban areas. Simultaneously, a massive mouse plague continues to ravage Western and South Au

S8 Ep951: Preview for Later Today: Jeremy Zakis details Australia's winter weather, warning of a severe storm hitting Western Australia that will soon bring floods to the east. He explains how El Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole create a "vacuum" effect, drawing An

S8 Ep950: (8) Josiah Osgood explains that following his death, Cato became a "Stoic saint" and a symbol of lost liberty, celebrated by poets like Virgil and Lucan. Caesar's attempt to trash his memory in the Anti-Cato failed to dim Cato's luster as a noble martyr.

S8 Ep950: (7) Josiah Osgood describes the Civil War's onset as Caesar crossed the Rubicon, prompting Pompey and Cato to evacuate Italy for the East. Caesar utilized a strategy of clemency and maintained iron discipline, even executing mutineers in the Ninth Legion.

S8 Ep950: (6) Josiah Osgood recounts Caesar's campaigns in Britain and the subsequent Great Gallic Revolt led by the charismatic Vercingetorix. While Caesar fought for survival and glory, Cato exploited his struggles in Rome to portray him as a power-hungry threat.

S8 Ep950: (5) Josiah Osgood explains that by 58 BCE, Caesar's allies sent Cato to Cyprus to liquidate its treasury, a mission Cato performed with obsessive rectitude. Simultaneously, Caesar departed for Gaul, building a formidable military reputation and a deep bon

S8 Ep950: (4) Josiah Osgood describes how Cato's obstructionism forced Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus into an unexpected alliance to advance their interests. Crassus, a wealthy and "shady" financier, funded Caesar's lavish games as an aedile to secure political favor.

S8 Ep949: (3) Josiah Osgood introduces Pompey the Great, whose return from the East sparked tension as Cato blocked his arrangements while Caesar initially supported him. The Bona Dea scandal further inflamed the rivalry; Clodius crashed a female-only rite at Caesa

S8 Ep949: (2) Josiah Osgood details the 63 BCE Catilinarian conspiracy, where Caesar proposed permanent arrest for conspirators instead of execution. Cato countered with a powerful speech advocating death, successfully swaying the Senate and accusing Caesar of invo

S8 Ep949: (1) Josiah Osgood explains that in 64 BCE, Cato and Caesar briefly cooperated in a "murder court" targeting those who profited from Sulla's brutal proscriptions. Cato, driven by rectitude and a fear of strongmen, sought to return stolen wealth to the trea

S8 Ep948: (8) James Tabor concludes by examining the "Q Source," a collection of Jesus' teachings found in Matthew and Luke. He identifies a shared theological tradition among John the Baptist, Jesus, and James, characterized by values like non-violence and the "

S8 Ep948: (7) James Tabor explores the Talpiot Tomb, a first-century family tomb discovered in 1980 containing ossuaries inscribed with names like "Jesus son of Joseph," "Maria," and "Yose" (a rare nickname for Jesus' brother). Tabor argues the specific cluster of

S8 Ep948: (6) James Tabor examines how, during the Jewish Revolt (66–70 CE), the movement fled Jerusalem for a "hideout" in Pella, Jordan. However, Mary disappears from the historical record before this event, likely dying on Mount Zion in the 50s or 60s. Tabor not

S8 Ep948: (5) James Tabor describes Mount Zion in Jerusalem as the world headquarters of the early movement. Archaeological evidence suggests the "Upper Room" sits atop a first-century foundation of a house-synagogue. In this space, Mary served as a matriarch and h

S8 Ep948: (4) James Tabor challenges the tradition that John the fisherman was the "beloved disciple" at the crucifixion, arguing instead that it was James, Jesus' blood brother. He positions James as the legitimate successor and leader of the "Nazarene movement" i

S8 Ep948: (3) James Tabor analyzes the Protevangelium of James, a mid-second-century text that established the tradition of Mary's perpetual virginity and her upbringing as a "vestal-like" figure in the temple. He contrasts this theological portrait with the histor

S8 Ep948: (2) James Tabor investigates the mysterious name "Pantera" (or Panta) found in early rabbinic sources, which refer to Jesus as "Yeshua bin Pantera." He explores historical evidence to determine if this was a family name or a specific individual, noting a

S8 Ep948: (1) James Tabor introduces the historical Mary through the city of Sepphoris, the urban capital of Galilee located just miles from Nazareth. Unlike the small village of Nazareth, Sepphoris was a bustling Roman "jewel" where Mary was born to parents Joachi

S8 Ep947: SCHEDULE THE JBS, 5-29-26. 457 THE AMBROSIAN ILIAD.R

S8 Ep946: STREAMING THE MAKING OF THE JBS, FEATURING BLISS AND VLAHOS. 5-29-2026 1890 TROJAN WAR.

S8 Ep945: (16) Lorenzo Fiori reports on a record-breaking Italian heat wave and the poor market reception of Ferrari's new electric vehicle, while noting that affordable Chinese EVs are rapidly becoming the top-selling cars in Italy.

S8 Ep951: ### Bazball Blunders and Vandalizing Cockatoos Guest Jeremy Zakis critiques England’s aggressive "Bazball" cricket strategy, noting Brendan McCullum’s new five-point plan focused on professionalism and pressure management for the upcoming Ashes. Zakis