John Anderson: Conversations

In this interview, John speaks with evangelical author Prof. Nancey Pearcey.Pearcey offers valuable insights into issues surrounding the concept of masculinity, from the importance of fatherhood, to the history of the nuclear family, and the impact of Christianity on marriage. She argues that the latest sociological research shows that faithful Christian men make the most stable marriages, loving fathers, and happy families despite claims Christianity makes men "toxic".Pearcey also critiques the modern loathing poured onto young boys and how it is manifesting in poor educational, physical, and familial outcomes. As a result, male social media influencers who present a harmful version of masculinity which encourages promiscuity and the rejection of marriage, have gained widespread support amongst young men. John and Pearcey conclude that to reverse these harmful effects, we should value fatherhood, promote positive Christian masculinity which is grounded in responsibility, and stop the open disdain o

In this conversation, John speaks with political scientist and international relations scholar Professor John Mearsheimer about the recent war in Ukraine, and the potential for conflict in Taiwan.Mearsheimer argues for what he calls 'offensive realism,' which holds that conflicts between states are driven by the need to maximize power in relation to other states. This is in contrast to the heterodox liberal framework, which Mearsheimer contends was only tenable under the recently ended ‘unipolar’ era. Using this framework, Mearsheimer famously predicted the recent Russian invasion, arguing that it was an inevitable outcome of NATO's eastward expansion.

John sits down with Cambridge University Associate Professor James Orr to discuss multiculturalism, religion, and the therapeutic nature of modern society.He contends that religious communities are ‘bunkers’ in the modern world, acting as places of refuge from culture. Moreover, Dr. Orr addresses his controversial tweet, ‘import the Arab world, become the Arab world’, unpacking the complexities of multiculturalism. He also discusses how our increasingly therapeutic culture has had serious ramifications on our understanding of suffering, and on our relationship to the law and to the state.

John is re-joined by pre-eminent historian Niall Ferguson to analyse the latest conflict between Israel and Hamas. Ferguson argues that due to the nature of Hamas’ urban warfare, tunnel systems and civilian shields, Israel will have a long and difficult campaign ahead. He also points out that the decline in Western support for Israel, particularly in the younger generations, is due to a woke university system propagating Islamist and left-wing viewpoints, attempting to create a moral equivalence between the October 7 terrorist attacks and Israel’s response.

In this conversation, John sits down with journalist and author Douglas Murray to discuss the war on Western culture in light of the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas.Murray argues that Western Civilisation is being eroded by the collapse of history, faith and moral clarity. This cultural decay, Murray suggests, has been caused by a variety of factors including illegal immigration, secularisation, identity politics and the rise of radical Islam. Nonetheless, Murray is encouraged by the growing support for initiatives like the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC) and a common sense middle class who reject elitist identity politics.

John sits down with journalist and author Peter Hitchens to discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. This conversation was filmed on the 26th of October.While Hitchens labels himself as 'pro-Israel' he argues against their current course of action as both politically and militarily disasterous. Moreover, Hitchens is a self-proclaimed 'free speech absolutist' which he discusses in the context of anti-Semitic speech and the ongoing political challenges facing Britain.

John is joined by military historian Victor Davis Hanson to discuss the escalating conflict in the Middle East. This conversation was recorded on Wednesday the 18th of October. Hanson argues that Israel is in a unique position to retaliate unencumbered by American opposition, due to the bi-partisan support it currently has in the US. However, he contends that conflicts like this, and others such as the war in Ukraine, would probably not have transpired had President Trump still been at the helm.

In this interview, John sits down with author, minister and director of Speak Life, Glen Scrivener for a conversation on how the Christian worldview has shaped our society.Glen does a fantastic job communicating how thoroughly the Christian ethic has shaped and still continues to shape our culture today. Most remarkably, Glen highlights how even many of the arguments of Christianity’s biggest detractors are based on presuppositions that are fundamentally Christian in nature.

In this interview, John sits down with his good friend Anthony Dillon, an Indigenous academic and commentator. Anthony’s reflections on Indigenous affairs are particularly insightful as, in addition to his academic experience, he can offer the perspective of an Indigenous person who has both succeeded within modern Australia and is the son of Australia’s first Indigenous police officer, Colin Dillon.

In this conversation, John sits down with the owner and CEO of the immensely popular satirical news site, the Babylon Bee.In a wide-ranging conversation, they discuss everything from the intersection between Christianity and humour to the moral imperative to mock bad ideas. Along the way they also discuss the controversies that the Bee has found itself in over the years. Seth's faith, wits and sucess in both media and business give him a truely unique insight in the probelms that we are facing today.

John catches the iconic (and 'generous and warm-hearted', in his own words) John Cleese for a conversation during his Australian comedy tour 'An Evening with the Late John Cleese'.

In this conversation, John sits down with Dr. Andrew Browning, an obstetrician-gynecologist who has devoted his life to improving maternal health in Africa, with a particular focus on fistula surgery.

John is joined by journalist and author, Louise Perry, for a conversation that unpacks the aftermath of the sexual revolution. In their discussion, Louise outlines both the technological and ideological foundations of the sexual revolution, showing its seismic, often overlooked impact over the last 70 years.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg hosts John Anderson in his home for this Conversation. They discuss the roots and future of conservatism, British politics and economics, the role of the West in global affairs such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Chinese Communist Party, as well as diving into what motivates Jacob in politics.

Through rigorous historical and ethical analysis, Nigel Biggar presents a strong case for why the ubiquitous anti-colonial narrative has little grounding in historical fact. Rather, Biggar argues, a survey of the actions of the British Empire in particular reveals it to be a strong force against slavery, racism, and the long list of other sins that are often attributed to it.

Philosopher, scholar and political theorist Dr. Yoram Hazony joins John for a rich and interweaving conversation about conservatism, nationalism, democracy and modern politics. Dr. Hazony, who has recently completed books on several of these topics, provides a compelling critique of the political right - where has gone wrong, the great benefits it can convey for society and how it diverges from liberalism.

John joins Konstantin Kisin for the third time for a wide-ranging conversation. They discuss Kisin's experience as a new father and how that has changed him, his recent viral Oxford Union speech, and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.

In this conversation, John is joined by British journalist and author, Melanie Phillips.An outspoken British journalist with a reputation for fierce and honest opinions, Melanie offers cut-through commentary on a number of significant cultural and geopolitical issues. She and John discuss the coronation of Charles III, the cultural problems gripping the UK, and the relationship between Israel and the West.

John is joined by Walter Russell Mead, an American academic widely regarded for his incisive analysis of geopolitics and foreign affairs. They consider the worrying isolationist streak that seems to be running through US politics, the continuing struggle for supremacy and global leadership between China and the US, the effectiveness of nuclear deterrence, Western cultural decadence and Israeli democracy.

In this conversation, John is joined by Professor Steven Pinker, world renowned cognitive psychologist, psycholinguist and public intellectual.John and Steven discuss why, despite the profound influence of the Enlightenment on the modern world, so many have been captivated by postmodernism and critical theories which reject the essence of the Enlightenment - rationality and objective truth.They consider what it is to be rational, how rationality relates to being morally 'good', the difference between wisdom and knowledge, science and it's impact on modernity and why bad ideas so often stem from the halls of academia.Steven applies his mind to other topical questions, including the erosion of free speech, the rise of artificial intelligence and how aspiring writers can hone their craft.