John Anderson: Conversations

Victor Davis Hanson examines the Jeffrey Epstein saga’s divisive impact on American politics and the MAGA movement, while commending the Trump administration’s military, technological, and immigration policy successes. He urges Australia to strengthen its defence, fortifying the ANZUS alliance against autocratic threats like China.

Critiquing distorted historical narratives that skew policy, Hanson advocates for a cohesive Western r...

Robert L. Suettinger examines China’s political evolution, from Mao’s devastating Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution to Xi Jinping’s reversal of market reforms. He underscores the Chinese people’s persistent desire for freedom, countered by the regime’s repressive surveillance and control.

Exploring Hu Yaobang’s legacy and the Tiananmen Square protests, Suettinger critiques Beijing’s economic policies and surveillance tactic...

In this interview, Lord Ridley examines the pervasive pessimism shaping climate narratives within the media and academia. He addresses the transformative power of affordable energy for developing nations and warns against beliefs about energy and climate that ignore the needs of those in poverty.

Ridley also criticises the politicisation of science in both climate and Covid modelling, arguing it distorts evidence, suppresses debate,...

John Anderson and Dr. Rebeccah Heinrichs examine the geopolitical consequences of the conflict between Israel and Iran, highlighting the United States’ role in shaping global security and the future of the Middle East. They discuss how President Trump’s decisive military strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure has undermined Tehran's influence and reasserted US supremacy in the region.

The conversation reflects on the rise of a...

John joins Paul Coleman, John Steenhof and Kristen Waggoner for a powerful discussion on the state of religious freedom in the West. Together, they explore the rise of hate speech laws, the weaponisation of anti-discrimination regimes, the erosion of conscience rights, and the emergence of a new secular orthodoxy that punishes dissent. Drawing on major legal cases across Europe, the US, and Australia, the panel reveals how fundamen...

John Lee examines the critical decision President Trump faces on Iran’s nuclear program, underscoring its profound implications for global stability. He critiques Australia’s passive foreign policy, urging a robust defense strategy to counter emerging threats.

Building on this, Lee examines power shifts in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific, pressing Australia to strengthen alliances with the U.S. and Japan. He warns of China’s rapid ...

Daniel Priestley joins John to discuss how entrepreneurship can address economic stagnation and declining living standards. He examines the power of innovation to create jobs and wealth, urging individuals to seize opportunities in a competitive global market.

From AI’s transformative potential to the need for affordable energy, Priestley offers a compelling case for proactive leadership. His insights challenge pessimistic...

John Anderson and journalist Chris Uhlmann confront Australia’s energy crisis, revealing the stark costs of renewable energy. Despite claims of affordability, electricity prices have soared 70% in a decade, tied to a rise in renewables. South Australia’s costly grid and Spain’s blackout expose renewables’ instability, a risk worsened by Australia’s isolation. The discussion questions why leaders dodge honest talks on costs, leaving...

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 ...

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, ...

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 ...

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 demand...

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.
 <...

Join John Anderson as he speaks with Walter Russell Mead, distinguished historian and foreign policy expert, recorded on April 8, 2025. As President Trump escalates his tariff war—threatening a 50% hike on China—Mead unravels the strategy behind this divisive move. Their dialogue spans the potential consolidation of American authority, the transformation of global trade, and the erosion of the post-World War II framework.

...