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Artwork for AntiSocial

AntiSocial

BBC Radio 4
Racism
Mental Health
Social Media
Multiculturalism
Immigration
Islamophobia
Labour Party
Surrogacy
Parenting Styles
Misogyny
Patriotism
GROK
Manosphere
Great Replacement Theory
Received Pronunciation
Public Transport
Banter
Unconscious Bias
Coconut
United Kingdom

Peace talks for the culture wars. In an era of polarisation, propaganda and pile-ons, AntiSocial offers an alternative: understanding, facts, and respect. Each week, Adam Fleming takes on a topic that's generating conflict on social media, blogs, talk shows and phone-ins and helps you work out what the arguments are really about.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes182Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for AntiSocial

Latest Episodes

Channel 4 announces a documentary called 'The Great ADHD Myth?' Lots of people - many of them with ADHD - react angrily, arguing the show's title adds to the stigma and distrust around diagnosing the disorder. The documentary aims to explore the caus... more

Some historians suggest the NHS would never have got off the ground without large numbers of overseas staff, but why was there such a reliance in the first place, and when did the backlash begin? Adam Fleming speaks to Andrew Seaton, history research... more

An NHS campaign group posts on social media to celebrate the organisation's overseas workers, but there's a backlash from people who think we should have more British-born doctors and nurses. Would the NHS collapse without these foreign workers? We f... more

The idea of a North-South divide in England carries weight with many people, but is there any historical basis for it, and how far back does it go? Adam Fleming speaks to James Hawes, author of The Shortest History of England.

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Eleanor Noyce
Reporter for the Metro newspaper
Metro
Episode: Why the heat about ADHD?
James Barnes
Psychotherapist
Independent academic; lecturer; clinician
Episode: Why the heat about ADHD?
Dr. Eleanor Chatburn
Clinical psychologist
Anglia Ruskin University; NHS
Episode: Why the heat about ADHD?
Dr. Jessica Echols
Psychiatrist; adult neurodevelopmental service
NHS; private practice
Episode: Why the heat about ADHD?
Matthew Smith
Professor of Health History
University of Strathclyde
Episode: Why the heat about ADHD?
Andrew Seaton
History researcher at the University of Manchester and author of Our NHS, a history of Britain's best loved institution
University of Manchester
Episode: Foreign workers and the birth of the NHS
Dr. Oyinda
A&E doctor speaking in a personal capacity
NHS (doctor)
Episode: Foreign workers in the NHS
David Shipley
Journalist, writes for The Spectator and The Critic; works with migration-related topics
The Spectator; The Critic
Episode: Foreign workers in the NHS
Catherine Marshlek
Senior fellow at the Health and Social Care think tank, the Nuffield Trust
Nuffield Trust
Episode: Foreign workers in the NHS

Host

Adam Fleming
Host of AntiSocial

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 194 ratings
  • The host does well in giving guests space, which frequently exposes flaws in their logic and sometimes makes them look foolish when they follow an argument to its logical conclusion.

    Too many shows talk over each other which lets people get away with not finishing their points, so it's nice to hear it done well.

    My only complaint is the subjects are zeitgeisty.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    rohnann
    5 months ago
  • interesting informed debates

    There's a review in these reviews that could be classed as trolling, criticizing the host as woke, but the host (Adam) makes this show worthwhile because he is able to reconcile the opposing views examined in the show, without being judgemental (unlike the reviewer.... ). Criticizing people as woke is pretty tedious and a bit passé actually. The show allows different viewpoints to be examined. It's thought provoking.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tmtl1
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Could be good with another host

    Like the concept but the host Adam Fleming just seems like a wet, wokey type and in that sense about 5 years out of date.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nathan C UK
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • The Therian and furry episode

    No. Someone identifying as a animal *therian, which I am* is NOT a furry and furry is not a adult term, it is a community of creative people expressing their love of making characters into this fantasy world of furrys. As a Therian, I believe I was an animal in my past life and that my soul remains an animal, that’s ALL THERIANS ARE DUDE, I express it through quads and gear and stuff. I did not fully read through the script for that episode I read most of it though and the vibe I got was not gre... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Demi the demogorgon!
    United Statesa year ago
  • Giving airtime to conspiracy nutters as if anything was to be gained by listening to their nonsense. There are attempts at fact checking, but not consistently. As a result, a lot of complete fantasy is left to stand as just another valid point of view.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    l
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is praised for clarity and depth in handling complex issues.
Balanced, thoughtful moderation that surfaces multiple perspectives.
Some listeners wish for bolder takes or more controversial stances from the host.
High-quality guests and timely topics keep debates informative and engaging.
Listeners appreciate respectful, probing questions and absence of shouting.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Foreign workers and the birth of the NHS
Q: What long-term implications did this period have for the NHS and medical training?
The era established a pattern of relying on international staff while also expanding domestic medical education later on, highlighting debates about brain drain, training investments, and the balance between foreign recruitment and developing homegrown talent for long-term sustainability.
Foreign workers and the birth of the NHS
Q: How did public and political attitudes toward immigration interact with NHS staffing?
Public debate grew in the 1960s with immigration laws tightening, yet politicians like Bevan and Powell publicly celebrated overseas workers as essential to British medicine, creating a complex dynamic where policy, public opinion, and professional needs intersected, sometimes resulting in both appreciation and backlash.
Foreign workers and the birth of the NHS
Q: Why did Britain rely so heavily on overseas workers for the NHS in its early decades?
Because there were shortages in nursing and some medical specialties, a perception of surplus doctors at times, and policy and economic incentives that favored recruiting from abroad to staff hospitals quickly and cost-effectively, alongside colonial and post-colonial ties that made recruitment channels more accessible.
Foreign workers in the NHS
Q: What are the ethical implications of recruiting from poorer countries?
Several participants contend that paying for training abroad with taxpayers' money in poorer countries while training domestically could be seen as morally questionable, though others emphasize patient care and economic realities as practical considerations.
Foreign workers in the NHS
Q: Should the NHS be proud of having 216 nationalities represented in its workforce, or is that a byproduct of undertraining domestically?
The numbers reflect both historical recruitment and current staffing needs; some speakers view it as a sign of diversity and resilience, while others argue it signals failures in domestic training and retention that need correction.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About AntiSocial

What is AntiSocial about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, balanced show that tackles controversial culture-war topics by assembling experts from journalism, academia, healthcare, and policy. Episodes frequently examine how public discourse is shaped by media framing, ethics, and social dynamics, with careful moderation that aims to surface nuanced views rather than partisan talking points. Notable strengths include cross-disciplinary perspectives, historical context, and accessible explanations of complex issues, making it useful for listeners who want clear arguments, facts, and respectful dialogue. Potential listeners who value thoughtful debate over sensationalism may find it particularly engaging; sponsors may appreciate the show's emphasis on informed discussion and practical im... more

Where can I find podcast stats for AntiSocial?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for AntiSocial. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to AntiSocial and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does AntiSocial get?

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What are the audience demographics for AntiSocial?

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How many subscribers and views does AntiSocial have?

To see how many followers or subscribers AntiSocial has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to AntiSocial?

These podcasts share a similar audience with AntiSocial:

1. Newscast
2. When It Hits the Fan
3. More or Less
4. The Briefing Room
5. Radical

How many episodes of AntiSocial are there?

AntiSocial launched 4 years ago and published 182 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact AntiSocial?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for AntiSocial?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for AntiSocial from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on AntiSocial?

Recent guests on AntiSocial include:

1. Eleanor Noyce
2. James Barnes
3. Dr. Eleanor Chatburn
4. Dr. Jessica Echols
5. Matthew Smith
6. Andrew Seaton
7. Dr. Oyinda
8. David Shipley

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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