John Anderson: Conversations

Join John as he speaks with Oxford Professor John Lennox about the intriguing connections between science, religion, and modern cultural shifts. Lennox reflects on how figures like Jordan Peterson have opened the door for renewed dialogue between Christianity and science. He argues that historical scientific pioneers were driven by their faith in a divine lawgiver, a perspective that has regained traction in modern intellectual discussions. The conversation also touches on the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence and society's growing struggle with truth in the age of deepfakes. Lennox emphasises the unique hope Christianity offers through the resurrection of Jesus, contrasting it with secular movements like transhumanism, which promises immortality but fails to address deeper human questions.    

John sits down with Professor Steve Tsang, a political scientist and historian of China, to discuss Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party.   Professor Steve Tsang describes Xi Jinping’s leadership style as "Sinocentric Consultative Leninism": absolute control by the Communist Party. This control is maintained through surveillance, ostensible 'anti-corruption' campaigns, nationalism, and the educational 'shaping' of the people. Xi aims to expand China's global influence, using economic leverage and Taiwan to achieve his vision of national rejuvenation.

In this episode, John sits down with Justin Brierley, an English academic, writer, podcaster, and Christian apologist. They explore cultural shifts in the West, particularly the rise and decline of New Atheism, and how recent years have seen a surprising resurgence of interest in Christianity, even among secular intellectuals. Brierley discusses his experiences hosting debates between Christians and atheists during the peak of New Atheism, noting how the movement eventually splintered and lost momentum as it became increasingly dogmatic. He highlights the rise of figures like Jordan Peterson and Tom Holland, who have challenged secular narratives and reintroduced Christian ideas into mainstream discourse. The interview also touches on suffering, the resurrection of Jesus, and Christian sexual ethics.

John Anderson speaks with Lord Mervyn King about the shortcomings of modern economics, including its detachment from practical issues and over-reliance on modelling. They discuss the failures of economic forecasting during the COVID-19 pandemic and on climate change, stressing the importance of humility and honesty from policymakers. The discussion extends to socio-economic challenges like rising national debt and intergenerational inequality in Western democracies. The conversation also touches on modern monetary theory, quantitative easing, and the geopolitical implications of trade policies, especially with China. Lord King offers a critique of central bank digital currencies and cryptocurrencies, advocating against a completely cashless society.

Konstantin Kisin returns to discuss his recent tour in America and analysis of the UK election: the decline of the Conservative Party, the rise of the Reform Party, and the structural challenges in Britain that now face the Labour Party. Reflecting on broader geopolitical issues, Kisin also shares his views on the Ukraine conflict and the need for decisive leadership. Drawing on his experiences touring with Jordan Peterson, Kisin highlights the public's hunger for messages of personal responsibility and the importance of maintaining cultural values, commending Australia's resilience in the broader Western world.

Join John Anderson as he interviews Peter Hitchens after the recent defeat of the Tories and the ascension of Keir Starmer. Hitchens offers a critical perspective on the Conservative Party and their gradual embrace of Tony Blair’s New Labour policies. He and John also explore the impact of public disengagement, the influence of public relations & advertising on politics, and the decline of traditional institutions like education, the family and local government. Hitchens also discusses the complexities of international relations, including Britain's alliance with the US and the situation in Israel. The discussion concludes with Hitchens' reflections on the diminishing role of Christianity in the West and the importance of a return to its moral principles in statecraft.

In this interview, John is joined by classical education advocate Andrew Kern. They explore the transformative potential of classical education, highlighting its respect for humility, heritage, and the importance it places on cultivating wisdom and virtue. Kern addresses the challenges posed by modern technology, and the increasing trend of homeschooling, promoting the integration of Christian values with classical education principles to create coherent and harmonious learning environments.

In this interview, John speaks with Iain McGilchrist about the differences between the left and right hemispheres of the brain and their impact on our perception and interaction with the world. Iain explains that the left hemisphere focuses on details and immediate tasks, while the right hemisphere maintains a broad, vigilant awareness of the environment. He discusses how modern society overemphasizes the left hemisphere's functions, leading to a loss of meaning, beauty, and wisdom.

In this interview, John Anderson speaks with Peter Court and Walter Purio, experts in maritime security, about Australia's vulnerabilities in shipping logistics and maritime defence. They highlight Australia's lack of domestically registered international trading ships, leaving the country heavily reliant on foreign vessels. They also examine the economic and strategic risks posed by this dependency, especially during crises.

In this conversation, John joins Alexander Downer to explore the significant geopolitical challenges of today, drawing comparisons to the dangerous period of the 1930s. Alexander warns of potential large-scale conflicts stemming from entanglements in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the South China Sea, emphasizing the need for a strong, principled approach to foreign policy.

Dennis Prager joins John to explore the deepening divisions in America today. Concerned with the destructive tendencies of left-wing movements, Dennis points to growing difficulties for young men and women who are deprived of the structure and blessings of Western civilisation. He emphasises that while these issues are daunting, despair is not an option, echoing his belief that "despair is a sin.” Confronting the polarising shifts between red and blue states, which give little reasons for hope, Dennis opts to fight for goodness and truth on principle, regardless of the odds for victory.

Professor Hanson joins John to discuss his new book The End of Everything, as well as the considerable unrest across America in the lead up to the 2024 Presidential election. They unpack the recent turmoil in higher education and its aggravation due to the unchecked left-wing ideology of those in leadership. They also discuss the unassailable appeal of Trump among Republican voters due to his outsider status and thick skin. They finish on a discussion of his new book The End of Everything, examining various historical parallels with our time, and the importance of recognising patterns of decline to prevent another civilisational catastrophe.

In this interview, John talks to highly esteemed author, commentator and theologian, Dr Albert Mohler. Dr Mohler and John discuss the political history and landscape of America in the lead up to the 2024 presidential election. Dr Mohler explores Christian perspectives on American politics, including the difficult choice both President Trump and Biden present to voters due to their disqualifying ethical views and character traits. They also address the rise of Christian nationalism, and the misunderstandings and hostilities towards evangelicalism.

In this interview, John is joined by author and journalist Helen Joyce to discuss the recent Cass review and its revelations that medical treatment for children with gender confusion has rested on ‘shaky foundations’. John and Helen talk about the history of transgenderism, where it stems from and where it is going. Helen explores the demographics affected by transgender ideology, namely, the large number of children that fall prey to it, and the struggles their parents face in trying to help them. Helen explains the insidious impact of this ideology on the institutions, including the fallout from the Tavistock scandal in the United Kingdom.

In this interview, John talks to Dave Rubin, author, TV personality and political commentator. John and Dave discuss the current political landscape of America, commenting on the upcoming US election in a time of deep polarisation. Dave examines the ineptitude found in the political class, and the contrasting roles of Generation X and Z for securing a hopeful future in America.    

In this interview John speaks with Molly Worthen, a highly acclaimed religious historian and journalist. They explore religious liberty, separation of church and state, and the impact of Christianity on America. Molly also speaks about her journey from thoughtful pragmatist to Christian convert, which has only occurred in recent years.

John sits down with Konstantin Kisin to discuss a variety of topics, from the war in Ukraine, to multiculturalism and the gradual decline of the West, as well as what it's like to grow up on a farm. Raised in the Soviet Union, Konstantin is not persuaded by leftist visions of utopia, and exhorts reasonable people to speak out against the 'woke mob'. He also argues that multiculturalism should be rebranded as multi-ethnic societies with a 'mono-culture', uniting everyone from different backgrounds.

In this interview, John sits down with Conservative MP Danny Kruger at the recent ARC conference to discuss his role in the rise of 'New Conservatism'. Danny argues that over time the UK government has drifted away from the will of the people, eroding traditional values and focusing on global over domestic interests. This shift has provided an opportunity for conservatives to unite the country, appealing to basic traditional values people still possess, even in typically safe labor seats. This change was most evident in the Brexit referendum of 2016 and the election of Boris Johnson in 2019. Kruger argues that this 'New Conservatism' is not a matter of changing values, but rather returning to the values that the public never gave up, such as family, national sovereignty, and patriotism.

In this interview, John has an in-depth discussion with renowned historian and writer Victor Davis Hanson. They discuss a wide range of topics including immigration, the current state of tertiary education, the condition of the Biden administration, and the 2024 presidential election. John and Victor talk about changing demographics in politics, and how, against all odds, younger generations are tending towards independent, rather than institutionalised, views. Victor also addresses the conflicts in Israel and Ukraine, critiquing the concept of proportionality in war, and examining the extent to which western countries should be involved. Lastly, they explore emerging concerns about immigration, now that Americans are identifying it as one of the most important issues for the coming election.

In this interview, John sits down with Mary Harrington for a discussion on a wide range of topics, from the advantages of conformity to transhumanism. Mary shares her journey from radical leftist and non-conformist, to discovering fulfillment in embracing traditional societal expectations. She uses her story to highlight our obsession with non-conformity, as is so often modelled in popular media. She also offers commentary on elitism and the current state of democracy, arguing that its current form fails to represent the will of the masses. This, she suggests, is due to their diminishing leverage over the ruling class in the modern age. Mary is a brave and original thinker who offers a perspective that will challenge the beliefs of any listener, regardless of their political or philosophical leanings.