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Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Welcome to The Sceptic, the Daily Sceptic’s weekly podcast. Host Laurie Wastell interviews the authors of some of the website’s most talked about recent pieces. Please subscribe, and remember: question everything; stay sane; live free. Produced by Richard Eldred.

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Artwork for The Sceptic

Latest Episodes

An undercover journalist’s extraordinary journey onboard a migrant dinghy, the risk of war with Russia and Canada’s energy standoff with America.

In Episode 94 of the Sceptic, Ellie Hodges sits down with undercover reporter Christian Drogan to hear ... more

YouTube

Does the Right need to compromise on its principles to win elections? And what’s really behind the shaky science of the 97% climate consensus?

In Episode 93 of the Sceptic, guest host Ellie Hodges chats to writer and commentator Nick Rendell about w... more

YouTube

Why trust in the mainstream media has collapsed, the rise of the ‘lanyard class’ and why cleaner air may be behind Europe’s heatwaves.

In Episode 92 of the Sceptic, Ellie Hodges is joined by veteran broadcaster and journalist Mike Graham to lift the... more

YouTube

The battle over Brexit’s broken immigration promises and the mystery of why a key piece of climate data has quietly disappeared from official reports.

In Episode 91 of the Sceptic, Ellie Hodges sits down with Migration Watch UK Chairman Alp Mehmet t... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Nick Rendell
Author of Daily Sceptic article defending compromise in right-wing electoral strategy
The Daily Sceptic
Episode: Is the Right Its Own Worst Enemy? | The Sceptic Ep.93
José Duarte
Social psychologist, author of The Valid Science Substack
The Valid Science Substack
Episode: Is the Right Its Own Worst Enemy? | The Sceptic Ep.93
Roger Pielke
Professor and climate policy expert
University of Colorado Boulder
Episode: From Fleet Street To ‘Fake News’: The Decline of British Journalism | The Sceptic Ep.92
Alp Mehmet
Migration Watch UK Chairman
Migration Watch UK
Episode: Why Has Immigration Exploded Since Brexit? | The Sceptic Ep.91
Rupert Lowe
Leader of Restore Britain, former Reform UK MP
Restore Britain/Restore UK
Episode: Rupert Lowe on Uniting the Right | The Sceptic Ep.90
Carl Hennigan
Professor of Evidence-Based Medicine at Oxford
University of Oxford
Episode: Rupert Lowe on Uniting the Right | The Sceptic Ep.90
Nathan Cofnas
Academic philosopher, free speech advocate
Free Speech Union / independent scholar
Episode: Rupert Lowe on Uniting the Right | The Sceptic Ep.90
Mark Littlewood
Director of PopCon
PopCon
Episode: The Absolute State of British Politics | The Sceptic Ep.88
Bernard Randall
Former school chaplain
Church of England (former)
Episode: The Absolute State of British Politics | The Sceptic Ep.88

Hosts

Laurie Wastell
Host with frequent involvement across episodes; engages guests with critical, analytical questioning and maintains a combative-yet-calm interview style.
Ellie Hodges
Frequent host with the Sceptic network, contributing hosting and interview segments.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 76 ratings
  • Rather insipid

    Stale ideas here, better suiting bygone times (as much as it pains this erstwhile Burkean to admit it). Warmed-over, milquetoast platitudes and the same familiar received “wisdom” that landed Britain – and the rest of our sorry continent – in this ever more wretched and embarrassing state. One regrets our Tories haven’t been conservative for decades.

    Bring on the accelerationism!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Bibliophenia
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Kathryn Porter for Prime Minister!

    Fantastic interview!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Helenatam
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Kathryn Porter interview

    Another superb interview from Laurie Wastell, thank you.

    I’ve been following Kathryn Porter in podcasts for some time. Sheer brilliance. I wish she would be Secretary of State for Energy Security.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jac Dore
    United Kingdom10 months ago
  • Fantastic podcast

    This is great as a counter point to the BBC the discussions and interviews of right of centre issues facing Great Britain is really interesting and the points well made!

    The presenter is articulate and very good!

    Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Piggy412
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Bottom Feeder

    Michael Woolf is a bottom feeder who would sell his grandmother for a dollar and it was silly to get him on the programme

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Zimalu
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Quality hosting and diverse guest lines are noted, though a few listeners seek more positive news coverage.
Some episodes polarize with strong viewpoints; others value counterpoints and data-driven critique.
Listeners appreciate the host's ability to move discussions without losing depth.
Insightful guests and hosting; the show educates on political issues while staying accessible.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is the Right Its Own Worst Enemy? | The Sceptic Ep.93
Q: How do you think conservatives should balance principle and pragmatism to win elections?
Rendell argues for finding a middle ground where principles are preserved but communicated in a way that broad voters can support, implying concessions on messaging and some policy areas are necessary for electoral success.
Rupert Lowe on Uniting the Right | The Sceptic Ep.90
Q: What is the core thinking behind the offer to Nigel Farage and Restore's potential cooperation with Reform?
The core thinking is to unite forces that share common-sense views to avoid splitting the vote and to pursue a shared program of reform, governance, and economic measures, with openness about the terms and public accountability.
The Absolute State of British Politics | The Sceptic Ep.88
Q: Do you think the by-election dynamics will change with Burnham's arrival and the reshuffled cabinet?
The panelists suggest that leadership changes may yield a short-term bounce but Real policy shifts are uncertain without a clear plan, and the long-term electoral effect depends on concrete policy moves rather than personnel changes.
How the Equality Act Broke Britain | The Sceptic Ep.85
Q: Could you explain the concept of the Granger Test and whether all lawful beliefs should be protected automatically?
The Granger Test is a set of criteria for determining whether a belief is worthy of protection, including seriousness and evidence of belief; the guest questions why some beliefs are protected at all and argues that protection should be more universal rather than dependent on such criteria, advocating for a more fundamental approach to safeguarding beliefs.
How the Equality Act Broke Britain | The Sceptic Ep.85
Q: Why not simply repeal the Act and leave the existing protections in place?
Repeal is advocated to restore ordinary legal understanding of discrimination, while preserving any essential protections through existing legislation; it emphasizes avoiding the broad, uncertain scope of the current Act and focuses on clear, enforceable acts of discrimination rather than protected characteristics.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Sceptic

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

A discussion-heavy show that features hosts and frequent contributors examining media narratives, government policy, and civil liberties through a critical, skeptical lens. Episodes frequently tackle topics like free speech, online safety and censorship, energy policy and climate data, and the influence of advocacy groups on journalism and politics. Guests range from journalists and policy researchers to lawmakers and think-tank voices, offering counterpoints to mainstream narratives and spotlighting questions about transparency, governance, and accountability. The format often blends interviews with in-depth analysis, aiming to equip listeners with alternative perspectives on contemporary UK politics, media, and public policy. A notable st... more

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1. The Current Thing
2. The spiked podcast
3. New Culture Forum
4. Last Orders - a spiked podcast
5. The Brendan O'Neill Show

How many episodes of The Sceptic are there?

The Sceptic launched 2 years ago and published 119 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 The Sceptic?

Recent guests on The Sceptic include:

1. Nick Rendell
2. José Duarte
3. Roger Pielke
4. Alp Mehmet
5. Rupert Lowe
6. Carl Hennigan
7. Nathan Cofnas
8. Mark Littlewood

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