Oh God, What Now?

If you haven’t tried our new podcast PAPER CUTS yet, here’s a taster. Listen to the full episode here. PAPER CUTS is the modern press review. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday Miranda Sawyer and guests look at what’s behind the biggest stories, and bring you the weirdest headlines, the biggest scoops and the most astonishing manifestations of mass newspaper neurosis. Don’t forget to subscribe on your favourite app. PAPER CUTS. We read the papers so you don't have to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Ukraine War is reshaping the world. Arthur Snell writes the first draft of its history. In this excerpt from Ep.1 of our new series: How Russia’s febrile history, Putin’s paranoid resentment and Western complacency led to an historic crime against a peaceful nation, the largest European land action since the Second World War… and a conflict of unprecedented brutality. Doomsday Watch: The Ukraine War is out now. Hear it wherever you listen to podcasts. Get every edition a week early and ad-free when you support the show on Patreon. Photo by Paul Conroy. Written and presented by Arthur Snell. Produced by Robin Leeburn. Original theme music by Paul Hartnoll – https://www.orbitalofficial.com. Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Doomsday Watch is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A special preview of our new series - search for Jam Tomorrow in your favourite podcast app or visit https://kite.link/JTS1 How did Britain’s dreams of a new postwar world go unfulfilled? And what does that mean for us today? In the first of a new documentary series from the makers of Oh God, What Now?, Ros Taylor looks at the legacy of the War itself. Ιdeals of the Blitz Spirit and dreams of wartime heroism still shape everything from pop culture and entertainment to the Brexit debate. But the truth of the War is more complex and less comforting. What will it take for us to see the Second World War – and ourselves – clearly? •  “If you’re going to have a foundation myth it might as well be one where you destroy Nazism.” – Al Murray •  “If the response to air raid wasn’t stoicism there was a fear that morale would break down.” – Lucy Noakes •  “The Keep Calm And Carry On poster was designed for a type of war that never arrived.” – Henry Irvine •  “Britain went into the war not alone but at the head of the world’s biggest empire… When Britain went to war, so did vast part of the world.” – Lucy Noakes   Written and presented by Ros Taylor. Produced by Jade Bailey. Voiceovers by Imogen Robertson. Original music by Dubstar. Lead producer: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Jam Tomorrow is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

• Join us for OGWN: It’s Grim Up North London live in Islington on Mon 20 May. Tickets onsale now. Liz Truss’ new book 10 Years To Save the West certainly isn’t a boring read but neither is it a good one. Actor and impressionist Jan Ravens joins the panel to pick through how Truss thought her 45 days of office went compared to reality and all her other ludicrous claims in between. Plus: Sunak’s cigs ban. Is it fair to create two tiers of adult, one blissfully smoke-free and one battering the gaspers? And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, we look into the politics of Alex Garland’s ‘Civil War’. • “Liz Truss is a cross between a haunted doll and a little girl whose dad has told her that she’s funny, and is always looking around for applause.” – Jan Ravens • “She says ‘Now is no time for finger-pointing.’ Cue three hundred pages of finger-pointing.” – Dorian Lynskey • “It’ll either be an early election with Sunak at the helm… Or a late one, and Sunak won’t be leader.” – Alex Andreou We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey, with Alex Andreou, Zoe Grunewald and guest Jan Ravens. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Video production by Keiron Leslie. 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

The Middle East is on the verge of all-out war after Iran fired missiles and drones into Israel. Where does Britain stand on this latest escalation – and would we be ready if things get worse? Labour has outlined its hopes to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP – but is that enough? CEO of Chatham House and host of the Independent Thinking podcast Bronwen Maddox talks to Ros Taylor. And it’s a But Your Emails special! Are there any good right-wing podcasts? And what would you replace the monarchy with? The panel gets to as many of our listeners' questions as possible. • “This current situation does play into Netanyahu's hands.” – Seth Thévoz • “If you were advising Netanyahu, you might want to point out that sympathy and patience is really wearing thin.” – Rachel Cunliffe • “Lots of Labour leaders, with the exception of Corbyn, feel like they have to look tough.” – Matt Green We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Ros Taylor, with Matt Green, Seth Thévoz and Rachel Cunliffe. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Video production by Kieron Leslie. 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

Reform UK’s candidates have proven to be controversial, to say the least. But, unfortunately, the party seems to be doing ok in the polls. What does Tice’s group actually stand for and what are Reform’s policies? And in the second part, why are we so obsessed with the end of the world? Dorian Lynskey’s new book Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell about the End of the World explores that very idea – and the panel quizzes him over his latest work. And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, Netflix’s Scoop gives an account of how BBC Newsnight secured that infamous Prince Andrew interview. The panel reveals all about their biggest interviews, how they got them, and how they went. • “I just think there’s no end to how weird people’s political opinions are.” – Dorian Lynskey • “Reform voters are so angry with Rishi Sunak… they probably wouldn’t even vote if there was no Reform Party.” – Ros Taylor • “Some people would really like the world to be destroyed, they would just like it to be over.” – Dorian Lynskey Buy Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell about the End of the World 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. We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey, Ros Taylor, Zoë Grünewald and Hugo Rifkind. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Video production by Keiron Leslie. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Britain is the second most powerful country in the world… according to Sunak’s latest desperate brag anyway. You probably saw the weird collage the Tories posted on Twitter — but is there any truth to the party's claims? Or is this just another bizarre fantasy? Plus, Brexit is about to rear its ugly head even higher with new food import charges. What are they and why could they damage consumers and small businesses alike? • “A chair would be a much more impressive communicator than Sunak.” – Matt Green • “Every aspect of it either made no sense or was dodgy in some way.” – Matt Green We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Alex Andreou with Hannah Fearn and Matt Green. Producer: Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Video production by Keiron Leslie. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What have fourteen years of Conservative rule done to Britain?, asks Sam Knight in that mega-piece by the New Yorker’s baffled readers. You might well ask, say our panel, who discuss what the world thinks of Britain’s weird experiment on itself. Plus, our special guest the political economist Will Hutton is here to talk about Labour’s options on the economy and his new book This Time No Mistakes: How to Remake Britain. And in the Extra Bit: Which books shaped our panelists’ politics? • “It felt as though the Tories were treating the country as a giant experiment… May and Sunak’s roles were simply to try and clean up.” – Ros Taylor • “The Tory logic is ‘Whatever we’re doing, at least WE’re in power and THEY’re not’… It’s a very efficient way to hold your party together.” – Rachel Cunliffe Buy This Time No Mistakes: How to Remake Britain 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. Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shirts and more.  Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor and Rachel Cunliffe. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Theme music by Cornershop. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Royal Family are experiencing their worst year in decades. Is it time we wound down the Monarchy not just for our sake but for their sake too? Or are things best left the way they are? Plus, Boomers (not all of them we’ll add) are “used to having everything its own way”, says the Economist, but times are changing. Has the time of the Millennials finally come? • “The Monarchy doesn’t provide a service like the BBC or the NHS but I think it’s rational, because it’s been there for such a long time, for people to not want to get rid of it.” – Rafael Behr • “Even if you just look at the makeup of Congress there really aren’t a lot of millennials present.” – Yasmeen Serhan • “Gen X really are the absolute waster generation.” – Rafael Behr We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison, with Yasmeen Serhan and Rafael Behr. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Video production by Keiron Leslie. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What on earth were they thinking? The Conservative Party’s weird, dystopian, GOP-style attack ad on Sadiq Khan shows just how much the party has lost its mind. The panel unpack what was wrong with it and why the Tories might have thought this was a good idea at all. And Jeremy Hunt says £100k a year “doesn’t go far” – is he right? Or is he just massively out of touch? Plus, in the extra bit for subscribers what could replace the Labour Party’s ‘Things Can Only Get Better’ ring-walk tune for the 2024 election? • “They do a really bad video, they get roundly mocked… and the next day they do something worse?” – Ros Taylor • “The Conservatives are going to have to improve 12 points just to do as ‘well’ as 1997… They are looking at a generational defeat.”– Jonn Elledge • “People are now locked into jobs and house shares they don’t like because they feel too financially insecure to start again.” – Zoë Grünewald We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Zoë Grünewald, Ros Taylor and Jonn Elledge. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by Robin Leeburn. Drum’n’Bass insert by Simon Williams. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is The Sun newspaper starting to pivot towards supporting Keir Starmer? Will any of the rest of the Tory press follow suit? And does political endorsement from a newspaper even matter any more? Plus, double outrage as shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves acknowledges that Margaret Thatcher was, you know, quite a big deal. Was she right to do so and why can't we stay level-headed around the Iron Lady? • “I think there’s an acknowledgment from the papers that you can’t ignore Labour anymore.” – Rachel Cunliffe • “Any papers who don’t want to back Labour just won’t back ANYONE…” – Hugo Rifkind • “The Thatcher of now might be hosting a TV show on GB News, who knows?” – Hugo Rifkind We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Alex Andreou with Rachel Cunliffe and Hugo Rifkind. Producer: Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. 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

Rishi Sunak is going for yet another relaunch. Will it work? (Probably not…) Plus, plucky newcomer Vladimir Putin has won the Russian presidential election with a massive landslide of 87% which is DEFINITELY legitimate. What have we learned from this sham election and what does it mean for Russia? Dr Ben Noble is an associate professor of Russian politics at UCL and chats with Alex Andreou. And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, will Aaron Taylor-Johnson kick ass as the new James Bond, or will he bomb quicker than a bullet train?    • “Sunak might be breathing a sigh of relief at today’s inflation figures but I think he knows that’s not going to magically change things on the doorstep.” – Zoe Grunewald • “The Russia of 2024 is not the Russia of 2018.” – Dr. Ben Noble • “It does seem likely that the only way Putin stops being President is by dying.” – Dr. Ben Noble   We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow   Presented by Alex Andreou with Seth Thevoz, Zoe Grunewald, and guest Dr. Ben Noble. Producer: Chris Jones and Jacob Jarvis. 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

Why are we so obsessed with ‘The Red Wall’? What does it mean and are the Tories about to lose all of those seats in the North? Plus, new research shows the government’s levelling-up project has not worked… at all. Only 10% of the approved fund has been spent by councils. Why? And were the government’s missions ever achievable?  • “The red wall are actually voters who should’ve been Tory for quite a long time.” – Marie Le Conte • “It was more of an F YOU to the whole system.” – Hannah Fearn • “It’s quite fun to have a lot of nutters.” – Marie Le Conte • “Rather than levelling-up, everybody is in a worse situation.” – Hannah Fearn We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  And Andrew’s Introduction to Microdisney: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5xAQv7A4imZLX5pkBtuYk9?si=jFp0aVJGRAyahhjyAvDMIA&pi=e-pUunf_m0QuaQ  Andrew’s Escape Route: Microdisney — The Clock Comes Down The Stairs on iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001x9fs/the-story-of-microdisney-the-clock-comes-down-the-stairs  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Yasmeen Serhan, Marie Le Conte and Hannah Fearn. Producer: Chris Jones. 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

As the Tories face another racism row, we imagine a world where the Conservative Party simply didn’t exist. Would that be for the best for everyone? Plus, according to new research, only Uzbekistan is more miserable than the UK. What does this tell us about the British psyche? And in the Extra Bit for subscribers, is Kate Middleton just bad at Photoshop or is there a darker conspiracy at play? (PS. It’s definitely the first one.) • “There are certain trends that are making Conservative MPs really worried.” – Rachel Cunliffe • “I think that Anderson is being consistent in one thing – and that’s that he’s always been a tw*t.” – Jacob Jarvis • “I think what could come in the Tories’ place could be even worse.” – Matt Green • “We find being cynical quite sexy in the UK – what is that?” – Ava Santina We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Jacob Jarvis with Rachel Cunliffe, Matt Green and Ava Santina. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn and Jade Bailey. 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

Lee Anderson has thrown a strop and joined Reform UK. What is this political journeyman trying to do – other than seek a load of attention? And, the budget hasn’t managed to win hearts and minds for the Tories. In fact, it made the dial creep in the wrong direction. What will they try next? • “If the Tories choose to radicalise, then I’m sure Lee Anderson could find a home back within the party.” – Hannah Fearn  • “Talking up the numbers of defectors is just a way of spooking the Tories.” – Rafael Behr  • “Sunak has very clumsy, clunky, tactical judgement.” – Rafael Behr  We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Alex Andreou with Hannah Fearn, Rafael Behr and Ros Taylor. Producers: Chris Jones and Alex Rees. 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

Jeremy Hunt’s budget has arrived. We unpack the good, bad and ugly – and ask: “Are we all going to be much richer now?” Short answer: No. Also, the BBC’s first-ever disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring joins the panel to discuss her new book Among the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland, how she wards off online hate – and why social media is so rife with conspiracy theorists.  Buy Among the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland 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. • “What this government is doing is really last chance saloon.” – Zoë Grünewald • “They nicked Labour’s non-dom policy, which will cause some headaches later.” – Zoë Grünewald • “I think we should treat social media companies as we do governments… they’re just as powerful.” – Marianna Spring We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey, with Jonn Elledge, Zoë Grünewald, and guest Marianna Spring. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn and Jade Bailey. 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

Is Galloway’s victory in Rochdale quite the seismic event that Gorgeous George claims it is? With even Mail readers more likely to vote Labour than Tory, do the papers still have the power they used to? And there’s a debate brewing on assisted dying. What do our panel think? Plus, Budget tips, the Supreme Court on whether Trump gets on the ballot, and why Marie le Conte considers herself a Space Arab.     • “Literally nobody wants tax cuts. If your ceiling is leaking, the upstairs neighbour giving you £20 towards your service charge is not an answer to your problems.” – Alex Andreou  • “Interesting that Galloway is able to channel all that discontent into election wins, and yet Farage isn’t.”  – Rachel Cunliffe  • “Even the really right wing papers want Sunak out of the way so they can have their leadership battle between Badenoch, Jenrick and whoever…” – Alex Andreou  • “The Sun is just pretending that politics isn’t happening any more… Like, look, Jesus on a piece of toast!” – Marie le Conte      Support us on Patreon to get early access to all our live tickets plus mugs, t-shirts and more.     Written and presented by Ros Taylor with Alex Andreou, Rachel Cunliffe and Marie le Conte. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio production by Jade Bailey. Theme music by Cornershop. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After Lee Anderson and Suella Braverman’s recent outbursts, why are the Tories so scared of the word Islamophobia? And how deep does this issue run in the party? Plus, it’s a But Your Emails special! In the second half the panel answers as many of our listeners burning political questions as possible. Then in the Extra Bit for subscribers, what are political marches good for? The panel discusses their own experiences.  We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/@ohgodwhatnow  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey, with Matt Green, Rafael Behr, and Hannah Fearn. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production by: Robin Leeburn and Jade Bailey. 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

30p Lee has shown his real worth by claiming that Islamists have “got control” of Sadiq Khan. Suella Braverman, however, says they’re already in charge. Why hasn’t she lost the whip but Lee Anderson has? The panel discusses whether we have an intimidation issue in politics. Plus, as the Tories head for oblivion, why do political parties fail to learn from their mistakes before it’s too late? • “The Tories are Anderson’s enablers and for a reason – because it’s useful to them to have someone blowing that particular dog whistle.” – Alex Andreou. • “I actually find it really hard to get into Rishi’s head.” – Marie Le Conte • “People sounded angrier than they did at the height of the Brexit years.” – Marie Le Conte. • “The right, not just here but all around the world, is suffering a crisis in ideology.” – Alex Andreou. • “MPs are behaving like small children who have been in the car too long.” – Marie Le Conte. We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Andrew Harrison with Marie Le Conte and Alex Andreou. Producers: Chris Jones. 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

We can’t believe we’re asking this, but is David Cameron showing some competence in his role as foreign secretary? Or is he just the best of a terrible Cabinet? The panel discusses how he’s performed so far – and whether we can ever really forgive him. The answer is no, we can’t, by the way. Plus, Our Ros Taylor’s written a book! The Future of Trust is out now! She discusses her work with the panel.  Buy The Future of Trust 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. • “Geo-strategic thinking is not Cameron’s strong point.” – Rafael Behr. • “The thing you have to remember about David Cameron is that he is VERY arrogant.” – Rafael Behr. • “This isn’t the first time Marjorie Taylor Greene has told off a Brit.” – Yasmeen Serhan. • “Trust is a very, very slippery concept.” –  Ros Taylor. • “You’d think trust would increase with greater scrutiny, but that’s not necessarily the case.” – Ros Taylor. We’re on YouTube!: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVOIkIWUDtu7VrVcFs0OI0A  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Dorian Lynskey with Ros Taylor, Rafael Behr and Yasmeen Serhan. Producers: Chris Jones. 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