John Anderson: Conversations

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 discussion calls for bold policies to address economic stagnation, social discord, and strategic perils, which were sidelined during the campaign. It challenges viewers to reflect on the consequences of political inaction and the imperative to rebuild a united, prosperous Australia.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.

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 demanded a denial of truth and reality. Beneath this legal milestone lies a deeper lament for a civilisation adrift, unmoored from Christian roots and besieged by cultural dislocation. From the fertility crisis to the hollow promises of sexual liberation, Perry and John trace the wreckage of progressive ideals: the allure of OnlyFans, fractured relationships, and a generation craving meaning. Yet glimmers of hope are emerging: rising church attendance and a trend of young minds questioning the chaos around them. Louise Perry is the author of The Case Against the Sexual Revolution, described by the Observer as possibly “one of the most important feminist books of its time.” She hosts the podcast Maiden Mother Matriarch, and is a frequent contributor to The New Statesman, The Spectator, and The Daily Mail.

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. Family breakdown and demographic decline threaten Western prosperity, with collapsing birth rates and rising welfare costs signalling societal decay. Radical green ideologies, rooted in neo-paganism, prioritise nature over human welfare, risking a return to impoverishment. Pilkington envisions a post-liberal West reviving Christian values to restore stable families and economic vitality.Philip Pilkington is a macroeconomist and investment professional. He is the author of The Reformation in Economics and the soon to be released The Collapse Of Global Liberalism. He also co-hosts the popular geopolitics podcast Multipolarity.

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.Mead delivers a detailed geopolitical analysis, illuminating Trump’s objectives, Australia’s strategic position in a volatile Indo-Pacific, and the implications of China’s expanding naval presence. The discussion extends to Mead’s work, The Arc of a Covenant, which traces the deep U.S.-Israel connection amid evolving global currents. Offering perspectives on sovereignty, economic upheaval, and America’s role in world leadership, this episode provides a vital lens on the forces redefining our era.Walter Russell Mead is the Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship at Hudson Institute, the Global View Columnist at The Wall Street Journal, and the James Clarke Chace Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities at Bard College in New York. He is also a member of Aspen Institute Italy and board member of Aspenia.Before joining Hudson, Mr. Mead was a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations as the Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy. He has authored numerous books, including the widely-recognized Special Providence: American Foreign Policy and How It Changed the World (Alfred A. Knopf, 2004). His latest book is entitled The Arc of A Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Future of the Jewish People.

John speaks with Islam scholars Dr. Mark Durie and Dr. Richard Shumack to explore the complex relationship between Islam and Western culture, drawing a contrast between Muhammad’s leadership, shaped by military endeavors, and Jesus’s Gospel of peace. They discuss how Islam’s foundational texts—the Quran and Hadiths—emphasise submission and sacred struggle, which stands in tension with Western values like freedom and the rule of law. A lack of theological literacy in the West obscures the roots of current challenges, including Hamas’ extremism and rising anti-Semitism. The dialogue examines broader differences, contrasting Islam’s historical pursuit of authority with the West’s vitality, rooted in principles of love and rational inquiry. Dr. Durie and Dr. Shumack observe that Islam's narratives of victimhood and a rejection of modernity hinders progress, while Christianity’s call to "love your enemies" fosters resilience and growth.Dr Mark Durie is a pastor and academic. He writes and speaks on a wide range of topics which include the connection between faith and culture, freedom of religion, the persecution of religious minorities, and the origin and history of Islam. He is the author of Double Minded and The Third Choice.Dr Richard Shumack is a philosopher of religion specialising in Muslim and Christian belief. He is the author of Jesus Through Muslim Eyes and Witnessing to Western Muslims.

John speaks with Mike Pezzullo, former Secretary of Australia’s Home Affairs Department (2017-2023), about the nation’s historical resilience and current security challenges. They explore how Australia’s early naval power deterred threats like German warships in WWI, yet today, the country faces a "real and present danger" from China’s naval deployments, such as the recent task group in the Tasman Sea. Pezzullo warns that Australia’s strategic sensibility has declined, leaving it vulnerable despite warnings from leaders like former Prime Minister Rudd in 2009.The conversation shifts to actionable solutions, emphasising the need for leadership to prioritise defence over social spending. Pezzullo suggests doubling maritime surveillance, investing in autonomous underwater drones, and fostering regional alliances to counter coercion without forcing nations to choose between the U.S. and China. He stresses that with political will, Australia can secure its freedom, drawing on past successes like economic reforms and border protection under leaders like former Prime Ministers Howard and Abbott.Michael Pezzullo is a former Australian public servant who served as Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs from 2017 until 2023. He was previously Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Defence. Michael has a BA (Hons) in History from Sydney University.

Konstantin Kisin joins John in the midst of Britain’s discontent, six months into the Labour government's reign. They paint a nation adrift—stagnant in economy and spirit—where illegal immigration surges, cultural pride wanes, and policies like VAT on school fees sting the middle class. Against this backdrop, they trace a deeper malaise spanning decades, unshackled from any single party, as Britain grapples with its identity and a youth reluctant to defend it.They examine America's resurgence under Trump, which is poised to outpace a risk-averse Europe tethered to Net Zero optimism and bloated bureaucracies. Migration challenges, the hunger for steadfast leaders, and a gentle call for rekindled Western pride all feature as they reflect on whether a better cultural story will prevail. 

Join John and British journalist Melanie Phillips as they explore the escalating misuse of "genocide" in the Israel-Gaza conflict, exposing how propaganda and liberal denial have inverted reality. She argues that it is Israel who faces a genocidal threat from Islamists like Hamas, while anti-Semitism surges across a West blind to its own history. From torn hostage posters to distorted narratives, Phillips reveals a cultural crisis where truth is sacrificed for ideology, making this a critical wake-up call for understanding today’s Middle East tensions.  

Join John Anderson as he hosts Kevin D. Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, for a thoughtful discussion on the changes shaping America and the broader Western world. This episode covers a range of topics, from Donald Trump’s unexpected return to the presidency to unconventional proposals like transforming Gaza into a luxury resort. Alongside these, they explore the evolving landscape of trade policies, the growing influence of China, and efforts to reconnect with core American values like the pursuit of opportunity and stability—what many call the American Dream.The conversation delves into Heritage’s perspective on strengthening self-governance, addressing China’s advances in technology, and reassessing how alliances function in today’s global environment. Kevin offers straightforward insights into issues like the conflict in Ukraine, the potential role of tariffs in economic strategy, and the cultural challenges that have sparked debate across the West. Together, they examine how conservative approaches might influence policy and leadership, not just in Washington but in capitals around the world, providing a window into the ideas driving this moment of transition.

In this episode, John and Peter dive into the cracks forming in Western society—failing institutions, rising crime, and a loss of trust in leadership. They examine the energy crisis, the decline of national security, and the unchecked consequences of mass immigration, each part of the ideological shifts driving politics away from reason, and into chaos.Against the backdrop of history, they reflect on the great wars, the temptations of blind idealism, and the perilous trajectory of the present. From crime and drug policies to the shifting global order under a new U.S. presidency, they probe the forces pulling nations apart. Yet, amid the bleak outlook, they touch on the enduring search for meaning—where true hope lies not in fleeting political victories, but in something far deeper and unshakable.