The Bunker – News without the nonsense cover art

The Bunker – News without the nonsense

The Bunker – News without the nonsense

By: Podmasters
Listen for free

About this listen

 News without the nonsense, every weekday morning. In episodes that fit your commute*, The Bunker cuts through the noise to make sense of what’s really going on in news, current affairs, politics, economics and culture. We bring you smart explainers, interviews, fresh perspectives and under-reported stories to as a refreshing alternative to repetitive Punch and Judy news coverage. It’s the only way to start the day. From the producers of Oh God, What Now? Our regulars include: Gavin Esler • Ros Taylor • Alex von Tunzelmann • Andrew Harrison • Zing Tsjeng • Jacob Jarvis • Emma Kennedy • Rafael Behr • Seth Thévoz. • Sign up to support the podcast and get episodes ad-free and early: patreon.com/bunkercast • Apple users: Get all of our core shows ad-free and early with the Podmasters Originals super-subscription. (* Even if it’s just from the kitchen to the front room. ) The Bunker is a Podmasters production.© 2020 Podmasters Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The absolute State of the Union – Weekly Wrap-Up with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis

    The absolute State of the Union – Weekly Wrap-Up with Rafael Behr and Jacob Jarvis
    Feb 26 2026
    Donald Trump delivered a record-length State of the Union address this week, in a marathon rant that has become the new normal. Plus, we explore the looming special educational needs reforms in the UK and check in on Kim Jong Un. And also, the weird story of an army of robot vacuum cleaners… Jacob Jarvis is joined by The Guardian’s Rafael Behr to comb over another wild week. www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis with Rafael Behr. Producer: Liam Tait and Kathleen Johnston. Production Assistant: Jake Preston. Audio production: Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Hot Take Time Machine – February’s weirdest opinion columns with Miranda Sawyer and Jonn Elledge

    Hot Take Time Machine – February’s weirdest opinion columns with Miranda Sawyer and Jonn Elledge
    Feb 26 2026
    We read the columns and the pundits so you don’t have to… On this month’s round-up of the weirdest, worst and occasionally best opinion columns: Brutal takes on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from Camilla Long (Sunday Times) and Sophie Money-Coutts (Telegraph) while Brendan O’Neill (who else?). Plus: The Telegraph defends child labour, the Mail rages against fare-dodgers, and why the I’s Kate Lister is the best sex columnist on the planet. Paper Cuts alumni Jonn Elledge and Miranda Sawyer join Andrew Harrison to dismantle February’s punditry. • Got a column we should be talking about next month? Send it to info@bunkercast.co.uk THE COLUMNS: • Camilla Long on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the Sunday Times. • Brendan O’Neill on “The hunting of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor” • Sophia Money-Coutts – “I know how high society works – and why the Epstein scandal could easily happen again” • Angus Colwell in defence of child labour in the Telegraph • Gaby Hinsliff in the Guardian – “Do you remember your first crappy job? Today’s young people would wish for half your luck” • Kate Lister in the i – Pushing for an open marriage? Check your market worth first • Dominic Lawson in the Mail – Why on earth would a wealthy banker dodge £5,900 in train fares? Keep The Bunker proudly independent by backling us at www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Andrew Harrison. Producer: Liam Tait with Sophie Clark. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • Obama says aliens are real. What more does he know?

    Obama says aliens are real. What more does he know?
    Feb 25 2026
    Barack Obama set the internet alight when he declared on a podcast that aliens are “real”. However, the former US president later insisted that, while in office, he saw no evidence of this and that he was just answering a speed round question. Once the preserve of late-night radio and fringe forums, UFOs are now discussed in Congress, scrutinised by the Pentagon and casually referenced by presidential hopefuls. Alex von Tunzelmann separates fact from fantasy with Andy McGrillen, author of Atlas of Unidentified Flying Objects and host of That UFO Podcast to find out what’s the difference between serious scientific inquiry and full-blown conspiracy culture? • Buy Andy’s book Atlas of Unidentified Flying Objects and Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll be helping the podcast by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too. www.patreon.com/bunkercast Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Artwork by James Parrett. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.