For the Masses Podcast: Recent Episodes
William Finlator
We talk about politics, current affairs, history, philosophy. Hosted by William Finlator, we attempt to understand how the world works. I aim to post once every fortnight. Contact me at williamfinlator@outlook.com
Today, I interview Professor Ali Ansari of St Andrews University, about Iran, its history, its sense of self and its place in the world.
The interview focuses on how the scope and place of Iran in global history - tracing how Iranian concepts influence global ideas, Iran's modern identity and the the broader middle east.
Today, I speak with Tom Gardner, the Horn of Africa correspondent for the Economist, who recently was expelled from Ethiopia. Full of insightful analysis on this crucial African country, the podcast focuses on the problems currently facing the country, as well as unpacking its cultural, historical and political context.
Today, I provide an explanation of who Hegel was and why he matters. This episode is not discussion based, but instead an explanation of some structured personal reflections and thoughts about his philosophy.
I would recommend listening to this episode first if you are to listen to my Hegel-related material.
Email me on williamfinlator@outlook.com
Today me and Vijay introduce the topic of Hegel. Often derided as difficult to understand, elements of Hegel's system have been extraordinarily influential on the world of ideas. There is no better topic, therefore, to delve into and explain for the philosophically, historically or politically minded listener.
Vijay and I focus on two books, the Philosophy of History and the Phenomenology of Spirit. We look at history, the 'dialectic' method and the basics of Hegel's larger philosophical and historical system.
We then move onto a few of our perceived problems with Hegel and where we think we can useful in modern discourse.
Today we explore an ancient Greek philosophy and one of its most eccentric adherents with Cynicism and Diogenes. Diogenes, whose life is described throughout this podcast in anecdote-form was an ancient Greek philosopher with a colourful life that often went against social convention. We look at why he did this, what the central tenets of Cynicism are and also what lessons Cynicism has for us today.
As always, feel free to email me on williamfinlator@outlook.com
Links to this podcast on Apple and Spotify are down below:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1551550804
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50PLNWNMwFC3jxpjRG8DAf
Please do subscribe - it helps me out a lot!
Today I had a wide-ranging discussion with Wolfgang Munchau, a former Associate Editor of the FT and Director of the eurointelligence site (eurointelligence.com). A true expert in the field, with years of experience of deep analysis of euro-area crises, Wolfgang was a pleasure to interview.
We discuss what the EU vaccine procurement and distribution have meant for the long term prospects for European integration (or disintegration), and what the 'Covid Recovery Fund' means for Europe's long term structures (hint: not as much as many have made out).
As always, feel free to email me on williamfinlator@outlook.com
We are trying to get to 150 podcast listeners per episode by the end of the month, so please do share this with anyone who you think would enjoy this podcast.
Links to this podcast on Apple and Spotify are down below:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1551550804
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50PLNWNMwFC3jxpjRG8DAf
Today I deal with the question of how to deal with the Green Energy transition and the the massive demands it puts on society. I interview Robert Llewellyn, who among other things runs the Fully Charged Show - a leading podcast dealing with Electric Vehicles (EVs) and clean energy.
We discuss the importance of education, targeting action, what sort of questions and stresses green energy will put onto society as well as that mandatory discussion about the lessons Covid-19 has on all this.
As always, feel free to email me on williamfinlator@outlook.com
We are trying to get to 150 podcast listeners per episode by the end of the month, so please do share this with anyone who you think would enjoy this podcast.
Links to this podcast on Apple and Spotify are down below:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1551550804
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50PLNWNMwFC3jxpjRG8DAf
Today, me and Hamish from 'A Spoonful of News' discuss Stoicism.
We discuss the basic tenets of Stoicism as well as its origins, before moving onto a wider discussion of what Stoicism can teach us in today's modern world. We not only discuss the philosophy itself, but branch off onto more general questions about what the role of philosophy should be for the individual.
As always, feel free to email me on williamfinlator@outlook.com with any comments or otherwise.
Hamish's podcast, A Spoonful of News is linked here: https://hamish97hallett.podbean.com/
As always, the link to my Apple Podcast version of this podcast is here: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1551550804
The Spotify version of the podcast is linked here: https://open.spotify.com/show/50PLNWNMwFC3jxpjRG8DAf
Germany has been undergoing a tumultuous period in its politics recently. Today, I ask the question why? And what this means for the future of German politics more generally.
I have recently done a podcast with Regrettably Moderate - check it out here: https://anchor.fm/advent-ace32
Do check me out on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1551550804
If that's not your thing, check me out on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/50PLNWNMwFC3jxpjRG8DAf
Alternatively, follow the link to my podcast here: buzzsprout.com/162993. From here you can listen on any platform you like.
I am trying to get to 150 listeners an episode by the end of May - so do please subscribe and share this podcast with any and all interested friends!
Sleaze. Many see it everywhere, some deny it matters. Today I deal with this topic in the abstract, taking us behind the headlines and to a place where we can weigh up what 'Sleaze' means in modern politics.
I ask the following questions - why is scandal so common, yet also normalised, today? Why is this wave of 'Sleaze' allegations occurring now? How will it likely impact Boris and his party?
To listen to some more of my thoughts on Sleaze and politics, do check out Hamish Hallet's podcast, a spoonful of news - https://hamish97hallett.podbean.com/e/coffee-dates-william-finlator-and-tory-corruption/
Do check me out on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1551550804
If that's not your thing, check me out on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/50PLNWNMwFC3jxpjRG8DAf
Alternatively, follow the link to my podcast here: buzzsprout.com/162993. From here you can listen on any platform you like.
I am trying to get to 150 listeners an episode by the end of May - so do please subscribe and share this podcast with any and all interested friends!
Today, For the Masses Podcast welcomes Kevin and Jamal from Regrettably Moderate. The link to Kevin and Jamal's podcast can be found here: https://anchor.fm/advent-ace32
In the podcast we look at Biden's first 100 days. Has it been successful? What does Biden's massive spending mean? How has Biden dealt with the issue of partisanship? How is Biden dealing with China? And what are Biden's foreign policy priorities.
We are trying to get to 150 podcast listeners per episode by the end of the month, so please do share this with anyone who you think would enjoy this podcast.
Links to this podcast on Apple and Spotify are down below:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1551550804
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/50PLNWNMwFC3jxpjRG8DAf
Today I explore some of the misconceptions about the political role of the monarchy - explaining how it exercises power and why it continues to have a subtle positive role in British political life.
Today I explore the thought of Alexis de Tocqueville - focusing in on a couple of his most prescient theories. I look at his ideas on mass politics, tyranny of the majority and how they have close parallels with today’s politics.
Today I have a look at Nietzsche.
I look at his ideas about how morality and society has evolved - why he thought society values weakness, why this matters and what are the implications of this in today’s society.
Today I have an announcement about a temporary break I am taking from this podcast for around six weeks. I will be back soon, so do stick around - I will return in mid-April.
Today Vijay and I talk about Big Tech - focusing in on the recent debacle in Australia. One basic theme is what sort of role Big Tech should and does play in our societies.
In it, we look to broader themes of globalisation and the role of technology in society.
Today I explore Keir Starmer's electoral prospects - is Keir a bad leader? Is he doomed? Is his seemingly poor position his fault? What will likely happen over the next few years?
Sorry as well for the delayed podcast production. I am reducing the amount of podcasts that I will be uploading for about 6 weeks because I am doing some volunteering. There will be roughly one podcast a week for this period.
Email me at williamfinlator@outlook.com
Today we explore Burma's past and present - looking at how Burma's complex web of political factions have created an opaque and misunderstood narrative of recent political history.
I will call Burma/Myanmar Burma in the podcast. I understand that both terms are themselves political - but I have opted for Burma. This is not a reflection of my prejudices, and is merely to allow ease of understanding.
This podcast episode explains what we are here to do - explaining our mission statement, our approach to podcasting and what we hope to achieve.
Today I compare Trump's trial to some of its precedents. I don't limit myself to just impeachments, looking at what we can also learn from other political trials, including the trial of Charles I and Hitler.
Do have a listen if you want a new take on this often saturated topic of political discussion.
Today I explore the problems facing the BBC and the media landscape more generally.
I look at the challenge from the right, exploring the Conservative Party's relationship with the BBC and the two new news channels in GB News and News UK.
I also analyse the challenge of attracting a new audience in the face of the proliferation of new forms of online media.
Today I talk to Denis and Vijay about Trump. How do we judge such an unusual character? What does he mean for America and the world?
Here the left and right meet. A rare discussion where people with disagreeing views on Trump have reasoned debate over his legacy.
Today I look at Biden's Foreign Policy - looking to explain and analyse his priorities, and chances of success.
This episode seeks to explain what Biden's Foreign Policy is and why he is in a unique position where refashioning US foreign policy is the order of the day.
Do subscribe and share this episode!
Today we look at the ongoing crisis in Russia - we ask why is this happening now? What actually happened? Why did Putin decide to do what he did? And what are the likely consequences and actions of this move.
Unfortunately my statistics were slightly off in two regards in this episode - I can only apologise and retrospectively correct myself. Putin's poll numbers are better than I stated in the episode and Navalny has been imprisoned for two and a half years, not three and a half years.
I hope you enjoy!
Today I try a new podcast format - analysing and explaining a particular news story.
Today I look at what has been going on over the past few days in regard to AstraZeneca and the EU. I discuss vaccine nationalism, the relative effectiveness of the EU and UK in procuring vaccines and why the triggering of Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol was such a big deal.
Today Cara and I talk about the dangers facing the Conservative government over the next year. We talk Coronavirus, Boris and Scotland - I hope you enjoy!