John Anderson: Conversations

John Anderson speaks with Ayaan Hirsi Ali to examine the growing ideological, spiritual, and civilisational pressures confronting the West. Drawing on her personal experience, historical analysis, and cultural commentary, Hirsi Ali argues that radical Islam, institutional secularism, and the erosion of Western moral confidence are converging to produce a crisis of identity and social cohesion. This conversation traces the theological roots of modern Islamic extremism, the relationship between Islam and political power, the limits of multicultural integration, and the consequences of abandoning the cultural and moral foundations that once sustained liberal democracy. It is a candid and confronting discussion that challenges prevailing assumptions about tolerance and pluralism, calling for a renewed seriousness about the civilisational principles required to preserve social stability. Ayaan Hirsi Ali is a writer, public intellectual, and former member of the Dutch parliament. Born in Somalia and raised in multiple Islamic societies, she later became a prominent critic of political Islam and an advocate for liberal democracy, women’s rights, and freedom of conscience. She is the author of Infidel and other internationally recognised works on religion, culture, and identity.

Henry Ergas joins John to explore the erosion of historical understanding, the rise of ideological extremism, and the weakening of social cohesion across Western nations. Ergas argues that a balance of freedom and order are needed to sustain societies or else they will risk succumbing to the enemies of democracy, who possess a vitriolic hatred of the present, yet no unifying vision of the future. The discussion critiques the evolution of multicultural ideology and the rise of antisemitism in Australia, and assesses the slow decay of shared history, identity and hopes that once defined the nation. This conversation is a sober assessment of the challenges confronting liberal democracies and the values required to preserve them.Henry Ergas AO is an economist who spent many years at the OECD in Paris before returning to Australia. He has taught at many universities including Harvard's Kennedy School of Government and the National School of Statistics and Economic Administration in Paris. He is one of Australia’s foremost public intellectuals.

John Anderson hosts a candid discussion with Gerard Holland, Freya Leach and Jossiah Langton about the immense social, economic and political pressures facing Gen Z. This generation is often described as disillusioned, anxious, and disengaged, yet beneath the headlines lies a complex story shaped by economic hardship, cultural uncertainty, and a loss of shared meaning. This is a conversation with three young Australians who are working to restore, not dismantle, the institutions that hold society together. From housing affordability and family formation to energy policy and political radicalisation, the discussion considers why confidence has eroded, and what must change if Australia is to recover a sense of shared purpose, responsibility and national continuity. Gerard Holland is the Chief Executive Officer of the Page Research Centre and has previously served as the Director of Outreach and Strategic Partnerships at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC). Freya Leach is Co-Host of The Late Debate on Sky News Australia and is the Director of the Centre for Youth Policy at Menzies Research Centre. Jossiah Langton is the Operations and Engagement Manager for FORM Australia Ltd., a not-for-profit inspired by ARC, dedicated to elevating the quality of public leadership and discourse in Australia.

John Anderson speaks with James Orr to examine the deeper moral, cultural, and institutional pressures shaping Britain and the wider Western world. Drawing on political philosophy, social analysis, and recent events, Orr challenges the prevailing assumption that economic management and procedural politics can sustain a stable society. He argues that questions of identity, belonging, and shared obligation now sit at the centre of national renewal. This conversation traces the erosion of social trust, the limits of rights-based politics, and the consequences of demographic and cultural fragmentation. It is a measured discussion that reorients political debate toward the moral and cultural foundations required for long-term national stability, rather than short-term policy adjustments. Dr. Orr holds a PhD and MPhil in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Cambridge and a BA in Classics from Oxford. He is a political philosopher, writer, and commentator whose work focuses on conservatism, political theology, identity, and the cultural preconditions of liberal democracy, with particular attention to Britain’s institutional and civilisational inheritance.

John Anderson speaks with Ted Baehr, founder of Christian film review site Movieguide, to examine what contemporary film choices reveal about the moral instincts of society. Drawing on decades of data, Baehr challenges the prevailing narratives around the relationship between a film's content and its success. He argues that popular entertainment is quietly moving in a different direction from elite commentary, with films centred on family, moral clarity, and hope consistently outperforming darker and more transgressive content.This conversation traces the historical rhythms of Hollywood, from early moral storytelling to periods of decline and renewal. This is a grounded conversation that reorients the cultural debate around what audiences reward rather than what critics promote. Dr. Ted Baehr is Founder and Publisher of Movieguide: The Family Guide to Movies and Entertainment and Chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission ministry, as well as a noted critic, educator, lecturer, and media pundit. His life’s purpose is to be used of God to redeem the values of the media while educating audiences on how to use discernment in selecting their entertainment.

Julian Leeser joins John Anderson for an assessment of the disturbing return of anti-semitism to the Australian public sphere. Leeser sets out the historical contours of anti-semitism and why Hamas's October 7 attacks became a catalyst for hostility on Australian soil.  The conversation criticises the failure of the current Australian government to curb anti-semitic rhetoric and acts of vandalism. Instead, it has instead chosen to legitimise the actions of Hamas by recognising a Palestinian state at the UN. This is an important discussion that urges Australia to have the courage to confront extremist, anti-democratic values and ensure every Australian is able to live in safety and dignity on our shores. Julian Leeser is the Liberal Party Member for Berowra in Sydney. He is the editor and author of numerous books on a bill of rights for Australia, federalism, and Indigenous issues.

John speaks with Michelle Manook about the realities of Australia’s energy system, the misconceptions driving policy, and the widening gap between ideology and practical national interest. Manook explains why technological advances in sustainable coal production, including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and High Efficiency Low Emissions (HELE) power plants, make coal a legitimate energy option for our future. The discussion urges Australians to re-examine the assumptions embedded in net zero narratives, the economic risks posed by unreliable power, and the strategic necessity of maintaining a diverse and resilient energy mix. This is a grounded, forward-looking discussion about how nations sustain prosperity and stability in an increasingly uncertain world. Michelle Manook is Chief Executive of FutureCoal. Previously, she was Head of Strategy, Government and Communications for Europe, Asia and Africa for the multinational company Orica, based in Perth, Australia.

Connor Tomlinson joins John for a compelling examination of Britain’s fractured politics and its loss of cultural self-belief. Tomlinson offers a frank account of how mass immigration and rising Islamist separatism are reshaping the social fabric of Britain. Difficult but necessary questions are examined concerning integration, national cohesion, and whether the country still has the confidence to uphold its own cultural inheritance. Despite the challenges, Tomlinson insists that renewal is still possible if Britain can rediscover the confidence to enforce its laws, protect its institutions, and expect newcomers to adopt its cultural values. This conversation is a call to restore order, confidence, and a shared sense of direction for Britain's future.Connor Tomlinson is a British political commentator, writer, and policy researcher known for his work on immigration, identity, environmental policy, and the cultural challenges facing the UK. A regular contributor to GB News, TalkTV, The Lotus Eaters, and a writer for Courage Media.

Join John in conversation with Helen Joyce for a measured and penetrating examination of gender ideology, the erosion of safeguarding principles, and the profound human rights concerns emerging across clinics, schools, and public institutions. Joyce warns that while the UK is returning to evidence-based practice, Australia continues to pursue practices driven by radical ideology such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and gender-affirming surgery for children.  Joyce is adamant that denying biological reality harms women, children, medical ethics, and public trust. She argues for renewed clarity, ethical courage, and respect for the rights of a child to a natural puberty and long-term wellbeing.  Helen Joyce was Britain Editor at The Economist, where she worked for over 15 years before she joined the gender-critical campaign group Sex Matters as a director. She is the author of Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality.

Dave Rubin of The Rubin Report joins John Anderson in Sydney for a searching conversation on the crises reshaping Western democracy and culture. They examine the collapse of reasoned debate, the rise of identity politics, and how outrage and censorship have supplanted open dialogue. Rubin reflects on the assassination of his friend Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about a society increasingly willing to justify political violence as a means of social progress. Their discussion spans the erosion of Enlightenment ideals, the resurgence of antisemitism, the loss of trust in institutions and media, and the widening cultural divide between secularism and the Christian moral inheritance of the West. Anderson and Rubin also explore immigration, free speech, and the future of civic courage — warning that without truth, shared purpose, and principled leadership, the West risks forfeiting the very freedoms that once defined it. Dave Rubin is an author, commentator, and host of The Rubin Report, a leading program examining the challenges to free speech and liberal democracy in the modern West. Once aligned with the political left, Rubin now advocates a return to classical liberal principles and open discourse. His most recent book, Don’t Burn This Country, offers a blueprint for preserving freedom in an age of ideological conformity.

John Anderson speaks with David Eubank and Dr. Sean Turnell about the realities of China's involvement in Myanmar’s civil war following their 2021 military coup and why it matters for Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. They reflect on Eubank's first-hand experience providing humanitarian relief at the front line of guerilla warfare in the jungle, and Turnell's harrowing ordeal as a political prisoner for 650 days under the military regime. They explore Myanmar’s struggle for freedom, the staggering human cost of resistance, and the courage of those who continue to serve amid war and persecution.The discussion calls for urgent attention to the expansion of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Russia’s growing footprint in the region. The crisis in Myanmar is not isolated but emblematic of the moral test facing free societies—whether they will stand with those who fight for liberty under tyranny. This is a sobering reminder of the need for moral resolve and principled leadership in an increasingly dangerous world. Dave Eubank is a former U.S. Special Forces soldier who has spent nearly three decades on the front lines of some of the world’s most brutal conflicts. He is the founder of the Free Burma Rangers and continues to deliver humanitarian aid in active war zones alongside his family.Sean Turnell is an Australian economist and former economic policy advisor to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi in Myanmar. He spent 650 days in a Myanmar prison and wrote about the experience in his book An Unlikely Prisoner: How an Eternal Optimist Found Hope in Myanmar’s Most Notorious Jail.

Join John in conversation with former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott as they discuss Tony's new book, Australia: A History. From its Indigenous heritage to its British foundations and immigrant character, Abbott explores how the nation’s past informs its present and future. He urges a renewed appreciation for the principles of egalitarianism and justice that shaped Australia’s remarkable journey.In this conversation, Abbott reflects on the importance of historical literacy, the impact of individual leadership, and the enduring values that unite Australians. He warns against historical revisionism and advocates for preserving the Anglo-Celtic cultural ethos that continues to define the nation. This is a timely discussion that calls Australians to recover a sense of gratitude and pride in the civilisation they have inherited—and the responsibility to uphold it for generations to come. 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.

In this conversation, Josh Hammer examines the perilous moral confusion of our age through the prism of Israel and its survival. The attacks of October 7 and the confused global response revealed, he argues, a civilisation that has lost confidence in truth itself. When so many can no longer distinguish between barbarism and freedom, the very survival of Western civilisation is at stake. Hammer maintains that the West’s survival depends on rediscovering its biblical foundations in Judaism and Christianity. Without recovering that foundation, the West cannot withstand the mounting pressures of relativism, Islamist extremism, and cultural Marxism. This is a sobering but vital discussion on Israel, anti-Semitism, and the future of the West. Joshua Hammer is the author of Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West. He is a syndicated columnist through Creators Syndicate, senior editor-at-large for Newsweek, and host of The Josh Hammer Show.

In this conversation, Greg Sheridan explores Christianity’s defining influence on Western civilisation, showing how its revolutionary impact—from the early Church through to modern times—has shaped culture, morality, and human dignity. He argues that the decline of faith in recent generations has coincided with deep cultural and societal crises, and he calls for a renewed recognition of Christianity’s enduring value. Through vivid stories of early believers and contemporary figures, Sheridan illustrates how Christian faith continues to offer repair, renewal, and meaning in a fragmented world.Greg Sheridan is one of Australia’s most prominent journalists and commentators on culture, politics, and religion. He serves as Foreign Editor at The Australian and is the author of multiple bestselling books on Christianity in the modern world.His trilogy includes God is Good for You, Christians: The Urgent Case for Jesus in Our World, and his latest work, How Christians Can Succeed Today. Which can be purchased here: https://koorong.com/product/how-christians-can-succeed-today-reclaiming-the-genius_9781761471124-------------------------------------------------------------------Conversations feature John Anderson, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, interviewing the world's foremost thought leaders about today's pressing social, cultural and political issues.John believes proper, robust dialogue is necessary if we are to maintain our social strength and cohesion. As he puts it; "You cannot get good public policy out of a bad public debate."If you value this discussion and want to see more like it, make sure you subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnYSEGViOnb7k8ezUaWUww?sub_confirmation=1And stay right up to date with all the conversations by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://johnanderson.net.au/contact/Follow John on X: https://x.com/JohnAndersonACFollow John on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnandersonacFollow John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnandersonac/Support the channel: https://johnanderson.net.au/support/Website: https://johnanderson.net.au/

Katy Faust discusses the importance of stable, biological family units, asserting that children have a fundamental right to their mother and father. She critiques the cultural shift toward sexual autonomy, which she sees as undermining children’s well-being.Through personal stories and data, Faust explores how intentional family disruptions, like surrogacy or divorce, harm children more than tragic losses. She advocates for policies that prioritise children’s interests, urging a re-evaluation of modern family ideals.Katy Faust is Founder and President of Them Before Us, a global children’s rights non-profit and the co-author of the book of the same title. She publishes and speaks widely on why marriage and family are matters of justice for children. Her articles have appeared in Newsweek, USA Today, The Federalist, Public Discourse, WORLD Magazine, Washington Examiner, The American Mind, and The American Conservative. She is on the advisory board for the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship. Katy helped design the teen edition of CanaVox which studies sex, marriage, and relationships from a natural law perspective. She and her co-author detailed their philosophy of worldview transmission in Raising Conservative Kids in a Woke City. Pro-Child Politics is her latest book. Katy and her husband are raising their four children in Seattle.You can purchase Katie's Latest book, "Pro-Child Politics" here: Australia: https://www.booktopia.com.au/pro-child-politics-katy-faust/book/9798888457085.html?srsltid=AfmBOoql6cQ1SUqvapB4Ny4YqSH1AwOZWfJE3vSyaw-srdXT-AC6hCMfWorldwide: https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Child-Politics-Cultural-Economic-National/dp/B0D6LT3ZB3Sign up to John's newsletter here: https://johnanderson.net.au/contact/Conversations feature John Anderson, former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, interviewing the world's foremost thought leaders about today's pressing social, cultural and political issues.John believes proper, robust dialogue is necessary if we are to maintain our social strength and cohesion. As he puts it; "You cannot get good public policy out of a bad public debate."If you value this discussion and want to see more like it, make sure you subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnYSEGViOnb7k8ezUaWUww?sub_confirmation=1Follow John on X: https://x.com/JohnAndersonACFollow John on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnandersonacFollow John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnandersonac/Follow Katy on Twitter: / advo_katyFollow Katy on Instagram: / katyfaustofficialFollow Katy on Facebook: / katyfaustauthor Follow Katy on LinkedIn: / katy-faust-3a3984139Follow 'Them Before Us'https://thembeforeus.com/ https://www.instagram.com/them_before_us/https://x.com/ThemBeforeUs

In this conversation, John is joined by Dr. Stephen Meyer who articulates the scientific foundation that supports intelligent design, arguing that the universe’s fine-tuning and the digital code in DNA point to a purposeful intelligence. He challenges materialistic assumptions, urging a re-evaluation of life’s origins through rigorous scientific reasoning.Stephen analyses the shortcomings of evolutionary theory, explores the Cambrian explosion, and addresses the problem of evil, offering a rational case for theism grounded in modern scientific discoveries.Stephen C. Meyer, PhD, is a philosopher of science, the director of the Center for Science and Culture at the Discovery Institute, and the author of several books, including "Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design," and "The Return of the God Hypothesis." Download his free mini-book "Scientific Evidence For A Creator" at https://www.discovery.org/m/securepdfs/2021/12/Meyer-SciEvidforCreatorsm2.pdf If you value this discussion and want to see more like it, make sure you subscribe to the channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtnYSEGViOnb7k8ezUaWUww?sub_confirmation=1And stay right up to date with all the conversations by subscribing to the newsletter here: https://johnanderson.net.au/contact/Follow John on X: https://x.com/JohnAndersonACFollow John on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnandersonacFollow John on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnandersonac/Support the channel: https://johnanderson.net.au/support/Website: https://johnanderson.net.au/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Qh2fEsC7nEVxXxQzwTv54

In this conversation, John chats with Giggle for Girls founder Sall Grover about her recent high-stakes Federal Court appeal concerning the right to operate a women-only social networking app. Grover warns that without clear sex-based protections, women’s rights to privacy, safety, and dignity in public and private spaces risk being dismantled.The conversation explains why the ruling will not merely have ramifications for women's rights, but the fundamental freedoms of belief, association, and speech — principles essential to a free and democratic society. Grover also highlights the political reluctance to confront the issue, and the double standards of many Australian media outlets that have remained conspicuously silent in coverage of the case.Sall Grover is the founder and CEO of Giggle, a female-only social networking app launched in 2020 to provide a secure platform for women to connect, collaborate, and support one another. Giggle has been at the centre of the recent landmark Federal Court case Tickle v Giggle, which tested the application of Australia’s Sex Discrimination Act to women-only spaces.

John is joined by Dr. Sean Oliver-Dee and David Goodhart to discuss immigration, national identity, and the role of religion in modern Britain. They examine how liberal democracies are struggling to maintain social cohesion amid rapid demographic and cultural change, including the mass importation of Islamic culture.They revisit Britain’s imperial identity, debate the prospects for Muslim integration, and reflect on whether liberalism can offer meaning in a post-Christian age. With insight and historical depth, Sean and David urge a rethinking of national purpose and shared values in an age of cultural fragmentation.David Goodhart is a British journalist, commentator and author, and has written for The Guardian, The Independent and The Times. In 2013, he published The British Dream, a book about post-war multiculturalism, national identity, and immigration, and in 2017 The Road to Somewhere: The new tribes shaping British politics, about the value divides in western societies, which was a Sunday Times best-seller. His latest book is The Care Dilemma.Dr. Sean Oliver-Dee is a tutor in Religions at the University of Oxford, and has written books and articles in the field of religion and public policy, including 2020's Courting Islam: US-British Engagement with Islam since the Colonial Period, which examined how the British and American governments historically engaged with Muslim countries and Muslim minorities in areas of foreign and domestic policy. Sean has co-authored Parliamentary publications concerning religious liberty and co-authored a strategic analysis report on religious futures for the British Ministry of Defence. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and of the Royal Asiatic Society.

Join John for a special episode as he answers 11 of the most frequently asked questions from viewers and supporters.From lessons learned in politics to the values that shape his worldview, John offers candid reflections on leadership, national priorities, and the future of Australia. If you have a question for John, we’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below for a chance to have it featured in a future Q&A episode.

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 response to address authoritarian challenges, trade imbalances, and demographic declines. Victor Davis Hanson is an American classicist, military historian, columnist, and farmer. He has been a commentator on contemporary politics for the National Review and The Washington Times and is currently the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. In addition to writing hundreds of articles, book reviews and newspaper editorials, Hanson is also the author of twenty-four books and hosts a regular podcast series, 'The Victor Davis Hanson Show'. Hanson was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2007 by President George W. Bush, and was a presidential appointee in 2007-08 on the American Battle Monuments Commission. His latest book, The Dying Citizen, was published in October 2021. And his next book, soon to be released on May the 7th this year, The End of Everything, How Wars Descend Into Annihilation.