What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel – Ep 125

Mark is joined by comedian Mark Nelson, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Rishi Sunak's disastrous election campaign, National Service for 18 year olds – and why politicians should own up to watching llama porn!   Plus, the Liz Truss Guide To Winning Elections, a heartfelt pledge from Keir Starmer – and Mike Concrete talks to an Army man about Rishi Sunak’s plans to bring back National Service. Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod   Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod   Follow Mark Nelson @marknelsoncomic   Follow Elliot Steel @elliotsteelcom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark is joined by award-winning journalist Ramita Navai for a special extended interview about the Middle East. From Israel's war crimes in Gaza, to life under the Taliban, and the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement in Iran.   Informed, entertaining and shocking, subjects range from the Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi, currently sentenced to death by the regime – to the hackers who filmed a pro-Iranian regime journalist masturbating to porn in his office.   As a British-Iranian journalist, Ramita has won an Emmy and other awards for documentaries such as Afghanistan Undercover, ISIS and the Battle for Iraq, Undercover Syria, and Breaking Into Israel.   If you want to understand What The F*** Is Going On in the Middle East, this is the episode for you.    Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod   Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod   Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel   Follow Ramita Navai @ramitanavai   And visit our website www.whatthefisgoingonpodcast.co.uk for more information.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark is joined by comedian Fred MacAulay, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the SNP falling out with the Scottish Greens; Drake falling out with Kendrick Lamar – and why better technology makes things more complicated than ever before!    Plus, Nadine Boris joins us live from The Grapes, more money-saving tips from Martin Sunak – and our very own George Galloway gives his thoughts on Bear Grylls baptising Russell Brand.   Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod   Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod   Follow Fred MacAulay @fredmacaulay   Follow Elliot Steel @elliotsteelcom   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark is joined by Dr Phil Hammond for a special extended interview about Mark's 'cancer journey' – as they would no doubt call it on Britain's Got Talent!  As a comedian, author and retired doctor, no one is better placed than Phil to give some informed and highly entertaining expert opinion on Mark's experiences, advances in medical science, and the current state of the NHS.   The conversation covers everything from King Charles to East Grinstead – and whether arsenic is really used as a cancer treatment. It's a frank, no-holds barred discussion that contains graphic sexual references and other grown up stuff that needs to be talked about more!   Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod   Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod   Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel   Follow Dr Phil Hammond @drphilhammond   And visit our website www.whatthefisgoingonpodcast.co.uk for more information.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark is joined by comedian and writer Brenda Gilhooly, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of being given the all-clear from cancer, Labour's plans if they win the next election - and whether he should give Elliot a lift to the polling station!   Plus, our very own George Galloway gives his thoughts on Mark's cancer journey – and broadcasting legend Mike Concrete interviews a member of Pop Bang Whizz!   Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod   Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod   Follow Brenda Gilhooly @BrendaGilhooly1   Follow Elliot Steel @elliotsteelcom   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark is joined by Rachel Fairburn, comedian and co-host of the All Killa No Filla podcast, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of the Rwanda bill passing, the cost of renting in London - and upmarket graffiti in Hampstead!   Plus, a woman that Mark heard on a phone-in show shares her thoughts on Rishi Sunak's Rwanda scheme – and deceased Yorkshire cricketer Fred Trueman gives his views on the plans to scrap F.A. Cup replays.   Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod   Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod   Follow Rachel Fairburn @RachelFairburn and her podcast @killnofillpod Follow Elliot Steel @elliotsteelcom and his podcast @BtecPhilosoph   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark is joined by actress, presenter and agony aunt Maria McErlane along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Iran v Israel; New York v Donald Trump; Rishi Sunak v Smoking – and Liz Truss v Reality!   Plus, Nigel Boulevard, Britain's most patriotic man, goes to Belgium for a conference – and there's an exclusive extract from Liz Truss's book “50 Days To Crash The Economy...”   Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod   Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod   Follow Maria McErlane @mariamcerlane Follow Elliot Steel @elliotsteelcom and his podcast @BtecPhilosoph   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark is joined by actress and impressionist Jan Ravens, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of Liz Truss, Gillian Anderson playing Emily Maitlis in Scoop – and whether the Israeli Defence Force should be forced to leave Gaza and deal with the Post Office management instead.   Plus, money saving expert Martin Sunak surprises some small business owners on a helpline – and a woman who Mark overheard in a cafe isn't happy about the recent solar eclipse!   Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod   Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod   Follow Jan Ravens @thatjanravens Follow Elliot Steel @elliotsteelcom and his podcast @BtecPhilosoph   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark is joined by columnist and political commentator Matthew Norman, along with Elliot Steel, as he tries to make sense of profiteering landlords, surreal conversations in a spa – and what happened when Elliot gave Mark a nicotine pouch to help him produce saliva!   Plus, our very own George Galloway MP shares his thoughts on Paddy McGuinness joining Radio 2 – and broadcasting legend Mike Concrete demands answers from a 99 year old woman about her scone recipe!   Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon:   https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod   Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod   Follow Matthew Norman @MatthewJNorman Follow Elliot Steel @elliotsteelcom and his podcast @BtecPhilosoph   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mark is joined by Robin Ince - comedian, writer and broadcaster - for a special extended interview, as he tries to make sense of the rise of conspiracy theories and the challenges faced by rational thought.   It's a hilarious and wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from Naomi Klein and Donald Trump to Robin Askwith, star of Confessions of a Window Cleaner!   Mark and Robin discuss whether it's worth arguing with anti-vaxxers and flat-Earthers, and reveal some of the tricks that psychics use to con their audiences. But the most heated argument of all revolves around a Trotskyist interpretation of the 70s American detective series Columbo!   Get ad-free extended episodes, early access and exclusive content on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod   Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod   Visit Robin Ince's website http://robinince.com/mainpage/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices