Episodes

  • Israel and Gaza – The full picture and what happens next – with Dr Julie Norman

    Israel and Gaza – The full picture and what happens next – with Dr Julie Norman
    Aug 19 2025
    It seems like there’s no end to the horrors in Gaza, the torment of the Israeli hostages and Netanyahu’s expansionism. And the more events escalate, the less we understand this nightmare. Today we’re joined by UCL politics professor Julie Norman to take as sober a look as possible at how the Middle East has changed after the October 7 attacks and Israel’s devastating response. Is Netanyahu prolonging the war to say in power? Does it fit the description of a genocide? And what happens next? Plus we have excellent questions on this topic in a special But Your Emails. This episode was recorded before the anti-war protests in Israel over the weekend. • Don’t forget you can watch full video of our panel editions on Spotify. If ever we needed ESCAPE ROUTES it’s this week… • Julie recommends Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run https://open.spotify.com/album/43YIoHKSrEw2GJsWmhZIpu?si=6srJHxF2TkS7UdydBhvfMg on its 50th anniversary. • Raf recommends The Genius Myth https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13277/9781787333246 by Helen Lewis. • Andrew recommends Alien Earth https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/browse/entity-23c8484e-a657-440b-8bf9-678f547331ff on Disney+. When you buy books through our affiliate bookshop you help fund the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here https://nordvpn.com/ohgodwhatnow. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee! • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more • Back us on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more. Presented by Andrew Harrison with Rafael Behr. Audio and video production by Chris Jones. Theme music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • “Farage will be found out” – ED DAVEY on how the Lib Dems can fight Reform and rival Labour

    “Farage will be found out” – ED DAVEY on how the Lib Dems can fight Reform and rival Labour
    Aug 15 2025
    Ed Davey’s reborn Lib Dems are on a 100-year high with 72 MPs and a shot at becoming the conscience of progressive Britain. So why do Reform get all the coverage? He joins our regulars to talk about fighting Farage, Labour’s travails, the war on cruelty in politics, why all those General Election surfing and bungee stunts worked, and what the Lib Dems can get done in Parliament. “We’ve been the best opposition,” he tells Alison Phillips, Matt Green and Hannah Fearn. Will they believe him…? • Get our exclusive ⁠NordVPN deal here⁠. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee! ESCAPE ROUTES • Ed Davey recommends There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak. • Hannah has been watching Black Doves on Netflix. • Matt recommends Close to Death by Anthony Horowitz. • Alison recommends Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. When you buy books through our affiliate bookshop you help fund OGWN by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more. Presented by Alison Phillips with Hannah Fearn and Matt Green. Audio production by Tom Taylor and Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
  • Art of the Steal – Could Trump run for a third term?

    Art of the Steal – Could Trump run for a third term?
    Aug 12 2025
    The Constitution expressly forbids anyone from seeking a third term as US President. But since when did that ever stop Trump from doing anything? Ex-congressional staffer turned politics professor at George Washington University Casey Burgat joins Guardian leader writer Rafael Behr and Andrew Harrison to look at the many weird ways Trump could cling to the White House… the hidden rivalries within MAGA… and what happens to a personality cult when (if) the personality vacates the scene. • Don’t miss Talk ’90s To Me: Nirvana with Miranda Sawyer. • Buy Casey’s book We Hold These “Truths” through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund OGWN by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal ⁠here⁠. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee! ESCAPE ROUTES • Raf went to see Erasure at Brighton Pride. • Casey went to see The Lumineers live. • Andrew recommends Fantastic Four: First Steps and the first couple of songs from Saint Etienne’s final album International. • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Rafael Behr. Audio and video production by Chris Jones. Music by Cornershop. Art direction: James Parrett. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Identity crisis – Are I.D. cards inevitable?

    Identity crisis – Are I.D. cards inevitable?
    Aug 8 2025
    Is the hysteria around digital I.D. cards justified? Or should we simply realise this is the future and get on with it? Plus, how deep is the UK university crisis? Professor Glen O’Hara is a voice at the forefront of this issue and joins us to shed some light on the dire situation. And in the Extra Bit for Subscribers, the Channel 4 documentary 1000 Men and Me: The Bonnie Blue Story has created a media storm about sex, morality and censorship. Why have one woman’s actions caused such angst? Escape Routes: • Rachel went to A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Bridge Theatre • Glen watched The Fantastic Four: First Steps (other cinemas are available) • Jonn went to the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition • Dorian watched Mix Tape on iPlayer www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal ⁠here⁠. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee! https://nordvpn.com/ohgodwhatnow • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more Presented by Dorian Lynskey, Jonn Elledge and Rachel Cunliffe. Audio Production by Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • The ultimate A.I. explainer – Will it kill us all or make us rich?

    The ultimate A.I. explainer – Will it kill us all or make us rich?
    Aug 5 2025
    In one of the most fascinating episodes we’ve ever done Alex Hern – A.I. writer at The Economist, who writes on A.I. but isn’t one himself – joins us for an ultra-deep dive into the truth about A.I. and what it means. How far off is “artificial general intelligence”? Which jobs would it wipe out? What happens if the promised turbo-growth of 30% a year arrives? And will A.I. turn our world into fully automated luxury capitalism or a sci-fi dystopia? Puny humans Andrew Harrison and Zoë Grünewald heed the call of the machine… • Don’t miss the new episode of Talk ’90s With Me presented by Miranda Sawyer. • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal here. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee! • Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more Escape Routes: • Alex Hern is playing Final Fantasy VII Rebirth • Zoë recently read Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. • Andrew watched Operation Dark Phone: Murder by Text on C4. • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more. Presented by Andrew Harrison with Zoë Grünewald. Audio production by Tom Taylor and Robin Leeburn. Art by Jim Parrett. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • Chaos Addicts – Why the Right wants a summer of anger

    Chaos Addicts – Why the Right wants a summer of anger
    Jul 31 2025
    Far-right agitators are amping up protests against a migrant hotel in Epping and Farage claims Britain is “close to civil disobedience on a vast scale”. We look at why populists are so desperate for chaos on the streets. Plus, as our brand new podcast Talk ’90s To Me launches, host Miranda Sawyer joins the panel to explain how the decade of Cool Britannia, Britpop and New Labour changed everything. And in the Extra Bit: The Internet is horrible but is it just a few people ruining it for everyone? • Don’t miss the very first episode of Talk ’90s With Me: Oasis! presented by Miranda Sawyer. ESCAPE ROUTES • Rachel has been bingeing on Only Connect on BBC iPlayer. • Jarv recommends Memoir of a Snail on the BFI Player. • Miranda is enjoying Baxter Dury’s new album Allbarone. • Alison is off to see Superman at the pictures (verdict TBC). • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more. Advertisers! Want to reach smart, engaged, influential people with money to spend? (Yes, they do exist). Some 3.5 MILLION people download and watch our podcasts every month – and they love our shows. Why not get YOUR brand in front of our influential listeners with podcast advertising? Contact ads@podmasters.co.uk to find out more Presented by Alison Phillips with Rachel Cunliffe and Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by Tom Taylor and Robin Leeurn. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Jezza’s Revenge – But will [party name here] hand power to Farage?

    Jezza’s Revenge – But will [party name here] hand power to Farage?
    Jul 29 2025
    OK, the launch might have been a bit shambolic and the name isn’t settled – but will Corbyn and Sultana’s “Your Party”* have more impact than the average new party, yes we’re looking at you Change UK? Specifically, will it split the left of centre vote and put Farage in No.10? Plus – Vanity Fair is now running adverts featuring AI models. Is there any job the slop machine can’t destroy, even Kate Moss’s? And if women can’t live up to unrealistic human beauty standards, how about going up against literally unreal heights of perfection? [* Name TBC] • Don’t miss the very first episode of Talk ’90s With Me: Oasis! presented by Miranda Sawyer. ESCAPE ROUTES • Zoe recommends Amy Bradley Is Missing on Netflix. • Seth recommends Le Canard Enchaîné – practice your French first. • Ava recommends The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Disney+ • Andrew recommends (after a fashion) Trainwreck: Poop Cruise on Netflix. • Back us on Patreon for ad-free listening, bonus materials and more. Presented by group editor Andrew Harrison with Zöe Grünewald, Seth Thévoz and Ava Santona. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Theme music by Cornershop. Produced by Chris Jones. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Pride and Prejudice – Can patriotism be a force for good?

    Pride and Prejudice – Can patriotism be a force for good?
    Jul 25 2025
    Has our perception of what it is to be patriotic been skewed by the likes of angry protesters parading outside a refugee hotel in Essex? And can the idea of patriotism ever be reclaimed from furious far-right groups like Britain First? Plus, what’s the latest on the Brexit reset with the EU? Director of UK in a Changing Europe Anand Menon joins the panel to discuss. And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, we’re wondering if we’ll EVER be able to retire. Escape Routes: • Ros recommends Inter Alia at the National Theatre. • Matt has been watching Yellowstone on Netflix. • Hannah recommends Lush by Rochelle Dowden-Lord. • Anand recommends Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan. Buy Lush or Caledonian Road through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund Oh God, What Now? by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. Follow us on BlueSky Back us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor with Hannah Fearn, and Matt Green. Audio Production by Tom Taylor & Robin Leeburn. Music by Cornershop. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    54 mins