John Anderson: Conversations

John speaks with writer and mathematician Bethel McGrew to unpack the cultural and spiritual currents of our time, from navigating political alliances, to countering secular scepticism. She discusses Jordan Peterson’s role in sparking spiritual curiosity among young men, while highlighting his hesitation to fully grasp the Gospel’s divine message. McGrew also examines the evangelical divide over Donald Trump, the cultural pushback against transgenderism, and the enduring hope offered by Christianity in an age of despair.    McGrew also defends the historical reliability of the bible and the resurrection’s evidential strength, addressing the claims of modern sceptics. She reflects on the rise of a subversive Christian identity, the need for authentic heroes, and the power of faith to heal social wounds.    Bethel McGrew is an American freelance writer and cultural critic. She has published in The Spectator, National Review, First Things, Plough, and many other outlets. She also writes at her Substack: https://www.furtherup.net/.

Matt Goodwin joins John to unpack the UK’s economic, cultural, and political turmoil. Matt describes a Britain grappling with stagnant growth, a severe cost-of-living crisis, and the fallout of mass immigration, including the grooming gang scandal that has shaken public trust. He highlights the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, which is surging in polls by addressing voter frustrations over broken borders, and elite disconnect, signalling a potential reshaping of the two-party system. Matt also explores the erosion of trust in legacy institutions, fueled by perceived authoritarianism from the Labour government, such as restrictions on free speech and denialism about immigration’s impacts. With optimism rooted in the British people’s resilience, exemplified by Brexit, this episode delves into the cultural pushback against progressive excesses and the urgent need for policies to restore national cohesion and sovereignty. 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 is Professor of Politics at Rutherford College, University of Kent and has previously served as Senior Visiting Fellow at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House and Senior Fellow with the UK In a Changing Europe. He runs one of UK's biggest Substacks at https://www.mattgoodwin.org/ [https://www.mattgoodwin.org/].

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott joins John to discuss the recent Australian election, which exposed deep divisions and missed opportunities for meaningful change. This episode explores the Coalition’s inability to champion solutions for the cost-of-living crisis, national security vulnerabilities, and eroding cultural cohesion, leaving the nation vulnerable to further decline. With a focus on principled leadership, this discussion calls for bold policies to address economic stagnation, social discord, and strategic perils, which were sidelined during the campaign. It challenges viewers to reflect on the consequences of political inaction and the imperative to rebuild a united, prosperous Australia. Tony Abbott is an Australian former politician who served as the 28th prime minister of Australia from 2013 to 2015. He held office as the leader of the Liberal Party of Australia and was the member of parliament (MP) for the New South Wales division of Warringah from 1994 to 2019.

Louise Perry joins John to dissect the UK Supreme Court’s recent ruling that anchors “woman” to biological sex in the Equality Act. The verdict, Perry argues, unveils the fraying tapestry of progressivism, which clings to the flawed thesis of human interchangeability. In focusing on women's safety and biological integrity, the Court's decision mirrors a broader recognition of transgender activism’s overreach, which demanded a denial of truth and reality.   Beneath this legal milestone lies a deeper lament for a civilisation adrift, unmoored from Christian roots and besieged by cultural dislocation. From the fertility crisis to the hollow promises of sexual liberation, Perry and John trace the wreckage of progressive ideals: the allure of OnlyFans, fractured relationships, and a generation craving meaning. Yet glimmers of hope are emerging: rising church attendance and a trend of young minds questioning the chaos around them.   Louise Perry is the author of The Case Against the Sexual Revolution, described by the Observer as possibly “one of the most important feminist books of its time.” She hosts the podcast Maiden Mother Matriarch, and is a frequent contributor to The New Statesman, The Spectator, and The Daily Mail.

John speaks with economist Philip Pilkington to explore the unraveling of global liberalism, tracing its roots from British imperialism to America’s post-World War II dominance. Pilkington argues that economic liberalisation failed to universalise liberal values, as nations like China and India embrace markets while rejecting cultural liberalism. A multipolar world emerges, where non-liberal powers redefine global influence.   Family breakdown and demographic decline threaten Western prosperity, with collapsing birth rates and rising welfare costs signalling societal decay. Radical green ideologies, rooted in neo-paganism, prioritise nature over human welfare, risking a return to impoverishment. Pilkington envisions a post-liberal West reviving Christian values to restore stable families and economic vitality. Philip Pilkington is a macroeconomist and investment professional. He is the author of The Reformation in Economics and the soon to be released The Collapse Of Global Liberalism. He also co-hosts the popular geopolitics podcast Multipolarity.