A Candid Conversation with Simon O'Connor

In this episode we discuss a recent BBC article about a 2024 euthanasia case that took place in the Netherlands, and in particular, the troubling indifference shown in the comments posted about it on the BBC Facebook page. ❤️ Become a Substack supporter at: www.thecounterculture.substack.com 

Is there such a thing as good horror? If so, what deeper purpose does it serve? Last week, Christian commentator Allie Beth Stuckey sparked an online debate by suggesting that the horror genre is not compatible with Christianity. In this episode I dissect the question of whether Christians should watch horror and offer some key principles that I believe can help us to think more deeply about this matter. ❤️ Become a Substack supporter at: www.thecounterculture.substack.com 

Houston we have a problem... and none of our leaders seem to want, or even know how to talk about it despite the gravity of the issue we are now facing. In this episode we explore the collapsing global fertility rate that the leaders of both of New Zealand’s major political parties struggled to give compelling answers to during last week’s leaders debate. We also discuss the suggestion, made by a senior economist, that NZ should import 125,000 young people from Europe each year to try and solve our fertility crisis. ❤️ Become a Substack supporter at: www.thecounterculture.substack.com 

In the latest episode of The Dispatches Podcast I sat down with longtime friend James Bergin to discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly about artificial intelligence. James isn’t just a good mate, he also brings a wealth of professional expertise to this issue as a Strategic Foresight Architect and Executive GM in Tech Research. In this episode we discuss the potential benefits of AI, the serious risks it presents, James’ greatest fear about artificial intelligence, and lots more! ❤️ Become a Substack supporter at: www.thecounterculture.substack.com 

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 Terror Attacks which brought down the World Trade Centre. In this episode I speak to Kiwi pastor Jason Winslade about his personal story of being present at ground zero in New York City, on Tuesday 11th of September 2001 as the terrorist attacks unfolded immediately above and around him. This isn’t just a personal account of surviving one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in US history on what was supposed to be a normal day at work, it’s also a powerful story of the path to conversion and redemption for a young man who discovered that there was more to life than career and a hedonistic search for self-fulfilment on that harrowing September morning. ❤️ Become a Substack supporter at: www.thecounterculture.substack.com 

A failed attempt at a leadership change, the loss of a skilled and virtuous MP, and a speedily approaching election where the race is much tighter than it really should be. In this episode I share my thoughts about the crisis of leadership in the National Party that is still just as bad today as it was before this week’s firestorm. ❤️ Become a Substack supporter at: www.thecounterculture.substack.com 

I discuss an extremely disturbing story that has appeared in the NZ media as part of a new campaign to expand our ‘assisted dying’ laws to make it possible for even more people to be euthanised by the NZ state. The incident and the emotionally manipulative way it is being reported is troubling enough, but what is truly disturbing is the premise that this campaign wants us to accept about what authentic care should look like in our country. This story also raises serious questions about the role and obligations of the media when they become embroiled in political crusades for major law changes, especially when this involves the deliberate and potentially preventable death of the subject in the story. ❤️ Become a Substack supporter at: www.thecounterculture.substack.com 

The issue of COVID era policy making and its impacts has returned to the public square in a major way this past week with attempts to subject Dr. Anthony Fauci to official scrutiny in the United States. In this episode I share my thoughts on why I believe this scrutiny matters, and why seeking to downplay problematic aspects of Fauci's conduct keeps us trapped in an unhealthy state of affairs. ❤️ Become a Substack supporter at: www.thecounterculture.substack.com 

Last weekend I went to see Christopher Nolan’s new film The Odyssey. In this episode of The Dispatches I take a deep dive and share my unfiltered thoughts about why I don’t think it is Nolan’s greatest movie; why it is both spectacular and lifeless; and why the Law of Zeus is not a reflection of the Christian vision of reality but Odysseus’ shame about Troy is. ❤️ Become a Substack supporter at: www.thecounterculture.substack.com 

Frank Ritchie hosts a weekly talkback show on Newstalk ZB; he founded a Christian chaplaincy organisation to minister to journalists and others who work in the NZ media; and until relatively recently he was also a Protestant pastor. Then, in Easter 2026, after many years of profound grappling and contemplation, he swam the Tiber and entered the Catholic Church. After 15 years of back-and-forth on various hot button issues, sometimes on opposing sides, Frank and I finally sat down together in dialogue as ecclesial brothers. In this episode of The Dispatches we discuss what led to Frank’s conversion to Catholic Christianity, his experiences as a media personality, the crisis of dehumanisation in public discourse, and lots more. ❤️ Become a Patreon supporter at: www.Patreon.com/LeftFootMedia  ❤️ Become a Substack supporter at: www.thecounterculture.substack.com