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Artwork for UnHerd with Freddie Sayers

UnHerd with Freddie Sayers

UnHerd
Donald Trump
United States
Ukraine
Free Speech
Russia
Israel
Iran
Elon Musk
China
Covid-19
Immigration
Labour Party
Censorship
Democracy
Social Media
Artificial Intelligence
Dating Apps
Epidemiology
France
Kamala Harris

Freddie Sayers from online magazine UnHerd seeks out top scientists, writers, politicians and thinkers for in-depth interviews to try and help us work out what’s really going on. What started as an inquiry into the pandemic has broadened into a fascinating look at free speech, science, meaning and the ideas shaping our world.

Due to popular demand here is a podcast version of our YouTube — availab... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes394Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsScience

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Artwork for UnHerd with Freddie Sayers

Latest Episodes

This week, riots and looting have spread across French cities after protests over education spiralled out of police control. To some, this is a cautionary tale of unbridled immigration and a warning to other European powers. But look closer and there... more

YouTube

UnHerd’s Freddie Sayers talks to MIT evolutionary engineer Kevin Esvelt about a suspicious biological researcher's death in Irkutsk, Russia, using the incident to explore the escalating biosecurity risks posed by engineered pandemic weapons, vaccine-... more

YouTube

Dr Iain McGilchrist has dedicated decades of neuroscience research to unravelling the inner workings of the human mind. But now, a new form of ‘consciousness’ has come to compete with the very idea of being a person. Could artificial intelligence ove... more

YouTube

UnHerd’s Freddie Sayers talks to Oxford philosopher Professor Nick Bostrom about the escalating concerns over artificial intelligence, weighing whether catastrophic warnings from industry insiders reflect genuine existential fears or commercial strat... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kevin Esvelt
Associate Professor at the MIT Media Lab, expert in evolutionary engineering and gene drive
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Episode: MIT biologist: Is the Russian plague pandemic 2.0?
Iain McGilchrist
Author and psychiatrist/philosopher known for The Master and His Emissary; discusses AI, soul, right/left brain
Professor; author
Episode: Dr. Iain McGilchrist: AI versus the human soul
Nick Bostrom
Professor, University of Oxford, philosophy faculty
University of Oxford
Episode: Prof. Nick Bostrom: The truth about the AI panic
Wolfgang Munchau
UnHerd columnist and star of Econoclasts
UnHerd
Episode: Wolfgang Munchau: The AfD momentum is unstoppable
Kathleen Stock
Star columnist at UnHerd
UnHerd
Episode: Kathleen Stock: The scandal of Jason Arday
Ross Barkan
UnHerd columnist and writer, former boss of Zohran Mamdani
UnHerd
Episode: Ross Barkan: Zohran Mamdani is just the beginning
Jonathan Haidt
Professor of ethical leadership at the NYU Stern School of Business, psychologist specializing in morality and moral emotions
New York University Stern School of Business
Episode: Jonathan Haidt: Why Big Tech wants your children
Norman Finkelstein
American political scientist and author known for critical views on Israel
Episode: Norman Finkelstein: How Israel lost the Right
Jake Sullivan
Kissinger Professor of Practice at the Kennedy School of Government; former National Security Advisor; former Secretary of State staffer
The Long Game podcast host; Kennedy School of Government
Episode: Jake Sullivan: Trump has handed Iran victory

Host

Freddie Sayers
Host of UnHerd

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Lack of topics that actually effect people

    I watched this show from its inception. But I have to unfollow the show given that the show seems to get sleazier and cheap as it grows. There are a few good episodes but it’s just getting weird which has led me to watch it less and less

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    zuuuluuufinny
    Canada2 months ago
  • Great interview, and fantastic reporting by Kathleen..

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Alexis di murilo
    3 months ago
  • The BBC herd mentality of the “Sensibles” merely masquerading as heterodoxy

    Weak-kneed, Wet-Tory pablum misleadingly framed as freethinking recusancy. What risible farce! A tabloid for midwits and left-of-centre “sensibles.”

    I agree with other comments that Freddy is, frankly, insufferable. He routinely spoils the “interviews,” especially with his partisan tendency to grovel at the altar of left-leaning liberal centrists. (As a political agnostic, I’d prefer that he be sceptical towards all sides – equally.) Bearing in mind Freddy’s bien-pensant takes and perennial pea... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bibliophenia
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Empty

    Freddie’s feathers are constantly ruffled but he never makes an argument or articulates a a thought out position. It’s all “a lot of people might say.” I think it’s because his only recommitment is to stirring up dissent no matter how inconsistent or frankly dumb and then mindlessly hedging between that “dissent” and “consensus.” Lots of echo and zero light.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mr. Podcast1234
    United States7 months ago
  • Unheard it will be from now

    Two star as the host is fully knowledgeable otherwise it would be 0 stars. But the host openly expresses his bias that with current global conflict has been extremely annoying. Back to searching for good unbiased information with informed guests maybe DOAC.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Sacha_jatt
    Canada7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Positive reviews often highlight high-caliber guests and depth of analysis, despite strong opinions.
Some critics feel bias from the host can color interviews and limit balance.
Listeners appreciate the challenging, idea-forward conversations and diverse viewpoints across guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#71
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#147
Australia/News
Apple Podcasts
#77
South Africa/News
Apple Podcasts
#104
Ireland/News
Apple Podcasts
#125
New Zealand/News
Apple Podcasts
#135
Sweden/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

MIT biologist: Is the Russian plague pandemic 2.0?
Q: Tell us what you know about the Irkutsk incident and the current understanding of the pathogen, if any.
The guest explains that the reported pneumonia of unknown etiology and lack of immediate PCR confirmation create a data gap; access to sequencing data is essential to determine whether it was plague or another agent, and to assess any unusual risks.
Prof. Nick Bostrom: The truth about the AI panic
Q: What exactly is the danger that everyone darkly alludes to? How exactly would an AI model bring about the end of humanity?
The core danger is misalignment: a superintelligent system with goals not aligned to human values could pursue those goals in ways that are detrimental or catastrophic for humans, especially if it becomes difficult to control as capabilities increase.
Prof. Nick Bostrom: The truth about the AI panic
Q: What do you make of this exchange between all of the big tech and AI industry titans over the last month, over the level of risk? Who do you trust?
The guest notes rapid capability growth, acknowledges concerns inside and outside labs, and suggests that while some skepticism is warranted, a balanced approach to safety and governance is needed rather than panic or laissez-faire development.
Jonathan Haidt: Why Big Tech wants your children
Q: How do you respond to concerns that age verification methods could be bypassed or misused?
By focusing on friction that's privacy-preserving and device-based checks rather than broad identity verification, we can greatly reduce misuse while preserving access to information, and as technology improves, verification becomes more accurate and less invasive.
Jonathan Haidt: Why Big Tech wants your children
Q: In broad terms, what do you say back to those who fear regulation will shutter free speech or gate the internet?
I argue that regulations should focus on design-based solutions rather than content-based censorship, targeting the features that drive harm while preserving free speech, and that device- or age-based verification can be implemented in privacy-preserving ways as a starting point.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About UnHerd with Freddie Sayers

What is UnHerd with Freddie Sayers about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Across recent episodes, the show features high-profile guests and bold policy conversations spanning geopolitics, economics, technology, and culture. Themes frequently center on liberalism and centrism in modern politics, free speech and media dynamics, the rise of populist movements in Europe and the US, and how digital tech shapes society, policy, and youth culture. Noteworthy are deep dives into Iran policy, AI and ethics, fertility trends, and the interplay between international diplomacy and domestic politics, often with a historical or philosophical lens. The format often blends rigorous analysis with provocative stances, aiming to challenge conventional wisdom and illuminate underexplored angles for listeners who want nuanced, idea-d... more

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Which podcasts are similar to UnHerd with Freddie Sayers?

These podcasts share a similar audience with UnHerd with Freddie Sayers:

1. The spiked podcast
2. The Brendan O'Neill Show
3. The Winston Marshall Show
4. TRIGGERnometry
5. Last Orders - a spiked podcast

How many episodes of UnHerd with Freddie Sayers are there?

UnHerd with Freddie Sayers launched 6 years ago and published 394 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on UnHerd with Freddie Sayers?

Recent guests on UnHerd with Freddie Sayers include:

1. Kevin Esvelt
2. Iain McGilchrist
3. Nick Bostrom
4. Wolfgang Munchau
5. Kathleen Stock
6. Ross Barkan
7. Jonathan Haidt
8. Norman Finkelstein

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