Is political violence “unAmerican”? Or is it as American as Thomas Jefferson, who wrote that "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants"?



Nick Bryant is one of the BBC’s greatest foreign correspondents. He has a doctorate in American politics from Oxford University and lived for years in Washington D.C. and New York City covering American politics for a global audience. One of his books sits on Joe Biden’s bookshelf in the Oval Office.



As we head into the final weeks before the U.S. election, Nick and Josh discuss Trumpism, polarisation and Nick's latest book “The Forever War”.



For more stimulating content and to join the Uncomfy Convos multiverse, hit the Substack page athttps://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe

http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_

http://twitter.com/joshzepps

http://instagram.com/joshszeps/

http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations

Is political violence “unAmerican”? Or is it as American as Thomas Jefferson, who wrote that "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants"?
 
Nick Bryant is one of the BBC’s greatest foreign correspondents. He has a doctorate in American politics from Oxford University and lived for years in Washington D.C. and New York City covering American politics for a global audience. One of his books sits on Joe Biden’s bookshelf in the Oval Office.
 
As we head into the final weeks before the U.S. election, Nick and Josh discuss Trumpism, polarisation and Nick's latest book “The Forever War”.
 
For more stimulating content and to join the Uncomfy Convos multiverse, hit the Substack page at <a href="https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe</a>
<a href="http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_</a>
<a href="http://twitter.com/joshzepps" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">http://twitter.com/joshzepps</a>
<a href="http://instagram.com/joshszeps/" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">http://instagram.com/joshszeps/</a>
<a href="http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations</a>

The world has never been more connected. Yet never more divided. We yell at each other from inside our echo chambers. But change doesn’t happen inside an echo chamber. It’s time to get out, to stretch our legs, to step on some land mines. It's time to have an uncomfortable conversation with Josh Szeps.

A DM Podcast

The world has never been more connected. Yet never more divided. We yell at each other from inside our echo chambers. But change doesn’t happen inside an echo chamber. It’s time to get out, to stretch our legs, to step on some land mines. It's time to have an uncomfortable conversation with Josh Szeps.
A DM Podcast

Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps

PREMIUM: “American Political Violence” with BBC Foreign Correspondent Nick Bryant

This is the most uncomfortable conversation Josh has ever recorded. He used to work for Alan Jones, the most powerful broadcaster in Australia. Now, he's been arrested on sexual assault allegations. (Alan, that is. Not Josh. Phew)



Sexual predation. Political power. Investigative journalism. Innocence until proven guilty. Josh has never spoken publicly about his own experiences while working with Alan Jones. Until now. 



To get more content like this and to join in the fun of the Uncomfy Convos multiverse, hit the Substack page athttps://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe

http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_

http://twitter.com/joshzepps

http://instagram.com/joshszeps/

http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations

This is the most uncomfortable conversation Josh has ever recorded. He used to work for Alan Jones, the most powerful broadcaster in Australia. Now, he's been arrested on sexual assault allegations. (Alan, that is. Not Josh. Phew)
 Sexual predation. Political power. Investigative journalism. Innocence until proven guilty. Josh has never spoken publicly about his own experiences while working with Alan Jones. Until now. 
 
To get more content like this and to join in the fun of the Uncomfy Convos multiverse, hit the Substack page at <a href="https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe</a>
<a href="http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_</a>
<a href="http://twitter.com/joshzepps" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">http://twitter.com/joshzepps</a>
<a href="http://instagram.com/joshszeps/" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">http://instagram.com/joshszeps/</a>
<a href="http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations</a>

JUST JOSH: "Me and Mr Jones"

Why do some civilisations enlighten while others languish? Why do some conquer, and others collapse? Was the British Empire a bloody stain... or, on balance, a force for modernity? 



Niall is one of Britain's most prolific and influential historians. His seventeen books, including the groundbreaking tomes Civilisation and Empire, define the modern historical canon. 



Niall has become associated with heterodox concerns about wokeness and Western decline. But Josh wanted to probe deeper: How should we think about Ukraine, Gaza, populism and the West, in light of what we know about what makes human societies thrive?



Josh and Niall sat down in Westminster, London, on the afternoon of the 2024 American presidential election -- before the result was known. 



This episode is available in full on the Uncomfortable Conversations YouTube channel as well as for premium subscribers at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe

http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_

http://twitter.com/joshzepps

http://instagram.com/joshszeps/

http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations

Why do some civilisations enlighten while others languish? Why do some conquer, and others collapse? Was the British Empire a bloody stain... or, on balance, a force for modernity? 
 
Niall is one of Britain's most prolific and influential historians. His seventeen books, including the groundbreaking tomes Civilisation and Empire, define the modern historical canon. 
 
Niall has become associated with heterodox concerns about wokeness and Western decline. But Josh wanted to probe deeper: How should we think about Ukraine, Gaza, populism and the West, in light of what we know about what makes human societies thrive?
 
Josh and Niall sat down in Westminster, London, on the afternoon of the 2024 American presidential election -- before the result was known. 
 
This episode is available in full on the Uncomfortable Conversations YouTube channel as well as for premium subscribers at  <a href="https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe</a>
<a href="http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_</a>
<a href="http://twitter.com/joshzepps" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">http://twitter.com/joshzepps</a>
<a href="http://instagram.com/joshszeps/" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">http://instagram.com/joshszeps/</a>
<a href="http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations" data-inline-card="" data-card-data="">http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations</a>

NIALL FERGUSON: How Civilisations Flourish (or Fail)

It's crunch time for the Australian government's Orwellian-sounding "Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation" legislation. 




The bill was passed last Thursday by Australia's House of Representatives and is currently stalled in the Senate. Right-wing populists are spreading hysteria that it would let the government throw you in jail for speaking your mind on social media. 




The bill would not, in fact, punish you for posting on social media. But it could give government officials the power to make social media companies suppress opinions the Australian government deems "harmful".


Josh opposes giving such power to the state. By contrast, Professor Daniel Angus is broadly supportive of the bill. He's one of Australia's leading researchers into technology, social media, fake news and misinformation, and he advised the government on the legislation. 




At this crucial moment, with only two weeks remaining before parliament shuts down for the year -- and as the Senate deliberates on this hugely important law -- please listen to this conversation and get informed. Wherever you are, enjoy this friendly clash of perspectives about algorithms and free speech on the web.



To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed. Hit the Substack page athttps://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe

http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_

http://twitter.com/joshzepps

http://instagram.com/joshszeps/

tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations

It's crunch time for the Australian government's Orwellian-sounding "Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation" legislation. 
 
 The bill was passed last Thursday by Australia's House of Representatives and is currently stalled in the Senate. Right-wing populists are spreading hysteria that it would let the government throw you in jail for speaking your mind on social media. 
 
 The bill would not, in fact, punish you for posting on social media. But it could give government officials the power to make social media companies suppress opinions the Australian government deems "harmful".
 Josh opposes giving such power to the state. By contrast, Professor Daniel Angus is broadly supportive of the bill. He's one of Australia's leading researchers into technology, social media, fake news and misinformation, and he advised the government on the legislation. 
 
 At this crucial moment, with only two weeks remaining before parliament shuts down for the year -- and as the Senate deliberates on this hugely important law -- please listen to this conversation and get informed. Wherever you are, enjoy this friendly clash of perspectives about algorithms and free speech on the web.
 
To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed. Hit the Substack page at <a href="https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe">https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe</a>
<a href="http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_">http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_</a>
<a href="http://twitter.com/joshzepps">http://twitter.com/joshzepps</a>
<a href="http://instagram.com/joshszeps/">http://instagram.com/joshszeps/</a>
<a href="http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations">tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations</a>

PREMIUM: “American Political Violence” with BBC Foreign Correspondent Nick Bryant

In 1 playlist(s)

Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips