The Edition – Details, episodes & analysis

This week: Alt reich. The Spectator’s Lisa Haseldine asks if Germany’s far right is about to go mainstream, ahead of regional elections this weekend. Lisa joined the podcast, alongside the historian Katja Hoyer, to discuss why the AfD are polling so well in parts of Germany, and how comparable this is to other trends across Europe (1:13).

Then: why are traditional hobbies being threatened in Britain? Writer Richard Bratby joins the podcast, alongside Chris Bradbury, the drone support officer at the BMFA, to discuss his article in the magazine this week about the challenge red-tape poses to model steam engine and aeroplane enthusiasts (18:47).

And finally: how has sound design changed the world of theatre? The Spectator's chief dance critic Rupert Christiansen argues in the magazine this week that amplified sound has become the default, to the detriment of traditional theatre, and he joins the podcast to discuss (30:15). The director Yael Farber also joins to explain why she sees sound design as the primary sensory experience within theatre (37:55). 
 
Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

This week: All hail Harris! As the Democratic National Convention approaches its climax, The Spectator’s deputy editor Freddy Gray explores vice president Kamala Harris’s remarkable rise to the top of the democratic ticket in his cover article this week. Freddy joins the podcast from Chicago (1:30).

Next: live from the DNC. Freddy and Natasha Feroze, The Spectator’s deputy broadcast editor, have been out and about at the convention talking to delegates – and detractors – of the Democratic Party. What do these Americans think? And does Kamala Harris have ‘good vibes’? (7:56).

Then: should misogyny really be classified under anti-terrorism laws? In the magazine this week The Spectator’s economics editor Kate Andrews argues that the measure would do little to solve the fundamental problem. And how would ‘extreme misogyny’ be defined anyway? Kate and author Helen Joyce joined us to discuss their concerns (14:00).

And finally: why does chess attract so many cheats? In the magazine this week The Spectator’s chess columnist, and grandmaster, Luke McShane examines the history of high-profile scandals in cheating. Why do some players stoop so low? Professor Ken Regan, an expert and investigator in anti-cheating in chess, and psychologist Professor Sam Sommers, join the podcast (25:31). 
 
Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.
 
Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

This week: Lawfare

Our cover piece examines how Keir Starmer’s legal experience will influence his politics. Ross Clark argues that Starmer will govern through the courts, and continue what he describes as the slow movement of power away from elected politicians. As poll after poll predicts an unprecedented Labour majority, what recourse would there be to stop him? Ross joined the podcast to discuss alongside solicitor and commentator Joshua Rozenberg (02:15).

Next: we’ve become accustomed to the police wearing cameras, but what’s behind the rise in bodycams in other industries? In her article this week, Panda La Terriere highlights the surprising businesses that have begun using them, but what are the implications for daily life and how concerned should we be? Panda joined us to discuss with Silkie Carlo, director of civil liberties NGO Big Brother Watch (19:39).

And finally: why do we love to be baffled? Mark Mason argues it is more to do with the thrill of deception than a desire to problem-solve. Mark joined us to try and demystify the world of magic with Gustav Kuhn, associate professor of psychology at the University of Plymouth and author of Experiencing the impossible: the science of magic (28:32).

Hosted by William Moore and Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.

Join The Spectator for a special Live edition of Coffee House Shots on Thursday 11th July at 7pm in Westminster. Fraser Nelson, Katy Balls and Kate Andrews will be making sense of the election results, a new government, and discussing what comes next. Tickets are £35, or £25 for subscribers. Book online at spectator.co.uk/shotslive

In this week's episode: 

We look ahead to Harry and Meghan’s UK tour next week, how will they be received? 

Freddy Gray and Tanya Gold join the Edition podcast to discuss (01:01). 

Also this week: 

In the Spectator magazine, our Economics Editor Kate Andrews sat down with the three economists, or 'Trussketeers', that are informing the would-be PM’s economic plan. 

She joins us along with Julian Jessop, one such economist that has been advising Liz Truss (13:51). 

And finally: can successful writers be friends with less successful ones? 

Cosmo Landesman asks this question in the magazine this week and is joined by the author Ian Rankin (27:07). 

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore. 

Produced by Oscar Edmondson. 

In this week’s episode:

What has Rishi Sunak revealed about the lockdown decisions made behind closed doors?

Fraser Nelson, Katy Balls and Kate Andrews join the Edition podcast to discuss (1.14).

Also this week:

From aid to trade: when will the West start to deal with Africa on its own terms?

Spectator columnist, Aidan Hartley is joined by Degan Ali, founder and principal of DA Global (16.24).

And finally: are handsy yoga teachers pushing their pupils away?

Rachel Johnson makes this case in the magazine this week. She's joined by Sasha Brown-Worsham who is a yoga teacher and author of the book Namaste the Hard Way (32.32).

Hosted by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Natasha Feroze.

In this week’s episode:

Is Giorgia Meloni the most dangerous woman in Europe?

Spectator contributor, Nicholas Farrell is joined by Chiara Albanese, a political correspondent at Bloomberg, to discuss the road ahead for Italy’s next likely leader. (01.10)

Also this week: Are we entering a new age of digital censorship?

Lord Sumption unpicks the Online Safety Bill in this week’s magazine. He’s joined by Baroness Nicky Morgan, a firm supporter of the bill. (17.53)

And finally: why has holiday hand luggage become such a hassle this summer?

Spectator contributor and marketing guru, Rory Sutherland joins us to get to the bottom of this. (31.56)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast and Gus Carter

Produced by Natasha Feroze.

In this week’s episode:

Who’s to blame for the water shortages?

James Forsyth, The Spectator’s political editor and Ciaran Nelson from Anglian Water join us to discuss the UK’s deteriorating water supply. (0.29)

Also this week: Is it time for some old-fashioned Tory state-building?

Tim Stanley from the Telegraph shares his vision for a Conservative future. He’s joined by Annabel Denham, director of communications at the Institute of Economic Affairs. (11.19)

And finally: What’s behind France’s new sexual politics?

Jonathan Miller writes about a new civil war in France between the nudes and prudes. He’s joined by Louise Perry, columnist and author of The Case Against the Sexual Revolution. (23.08)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Natasha Feroze.

In this week’s episode:

Is China heading for a demographic disaster?

Rana Mitter and Cindy Yu discuss China’s declining birth rate and what this could do to their economy. (0.52)

Also this week:

What would foreign policy look like under a Liz Truss government?

The Spectator's deputy political editor, Katy Balls is joined by Rishi Sunak supporter, Dr Liam Fox who is the MP for NorthWest Somerset, Former Defence and Trade Secretary. (13.40)

And finally:   

As Rishi comes face-to-face with the Tory members, can he win them over?

Fiona Unwin, who is the vice president of the West Suffolk Conservative Association writes that to wow the grassroots, all Rishi Sunak has to do is meet them. But not all the members were persuaded. 

Fiona is joined by her fellow member and triple-hatted Councillor, Andy Drummond who was elected for Newmarket town, West Suffolk district and Suffolk county council. Andy is also the vice chair of the West Suffolk Conservative association and remains firmly in favour of Liz Truss. (27.30)

Hosted by Lara Prendergast.

Produced by Natasha Feroze.

In this week’s episode:
Can Rishi catch up?
Katy Balls and Kate Andrews discuss Rishi Sunak’s mad dash to catch up with his rival, Liz Truss in the polls (0.55)
Also this week:
Is it time the UK severed ties with Chinese-made tech?
Charles Parton argues this in the magazine this week. He is joined by Dr Alexi Drew, a consultant in emerging technologies and international relations (13.33)
And finally:   
What’s not to love about country-pop music?
Sam Kriss writes about this in the magazine. Joining him for the podcast is Rod Liddle, the associate editor at The Spectator (31.01)
Hosted by William Moore.
Produced by Natasha Feroze.
Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher: www.spectator.co.uk/voucher

In this week’s episode:
Will Donald Trump have a second shot at the US presidency?
Freddy Gray and Sarah Baxter discuss. (1.10)
Also this week:
A look at the history of Scotland’s paradoxical relationship between Scottish identity and the Union.
The Spectator’s Scotland editor, Alex Massie talks with Murray Pittock about his book Scotland: The Global History, 1603 to Present.  (21.49)
And finally:   
What happened to bad taste humour?
Screenwriter Gareth Roberts wrote about this in the magazine. He’s joined by comedian and podcast host of NonCensored, Rosie Holt (32.30)
Hosted by William Moore
Produced by Natasha Feroze
Subscribe to The Spectator today and get a £20 Amazon gift voucher: www.spectator.co.uk/voucher