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Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps

Josh Szeps
Donald Trump
Australia
Artificial Intelligence
Israel
Climate Change
Democracy
Free Speech
Social Justice
Social Media
Mental Health
Australian Politics
Covid-19
Iran
Immigration
China
Media Bias
Cancel Culture
Food Safety
Education
Identity Politics

The world has never been more connected. Yet never more divided. We yell at each other from inside our echo chambers. But change doesn’t happen inside an echo chamber. It’s time to get out, to stretch our legs, to step on some land mines. It's time to have an uncomfortable conversation with Josh Szeps.

A DM Podcast

PublishesDailyEpisodes521Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Comedy InterviewsSociety & CultureComedy

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Latest Episodes

What's the "queer community"? Who's "LGBTQIA+"? When did sexuality get hitched to a queer cultural movement aimed at deconstructing gender, colonialism and white male privilege? What happens when a boring old gay guy dissents?

Ben Appel found out.

more

On Sunday, mixed martial arts fighters will beat the crap out of each other in a 90-foot-tall Ultimate Fighting Championship cage on the South Lawn of the White House. Senator John McCain once denounced the sport as "human cockfighting". President Tr... more

In a world of catastrophic fires, record floods, collapsing democracies and rising unrest, our lives have rarely felt more precarious. So how do we keep living meaningfully through it? And if (or when) it all comes apart, what kind of people do we wa... more

Get 30% OFF an Annual Uncomfortable Conversations Subscription at uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe/sanity

What happened to the news media? What does it have to do with why Hillary Clinton couldn’t fill a room, while Trump fi... more

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Recent Guests

Sarah Wilson
Author; climate and civilization thinker; former Cosmopolitan Australia editor; Substack author of I Eat the Stars
Author, I Eat the Stars (Substack)
Episode: "Smile! Civilisation is Collapsing" with Sarah Wilson
Matt Taibbi
Journalist and author known for dispatches from the Trump era
Rolling Stone (historical) / Racket News
Episode: Matt Taibbi, America's Top Gonzo Journalist, on How the Media Lost Its Mind
David Harris
Author of Antisemitism, What Everyone Needs to Know
Oxford University Press (publisher)
Episode: Where Does Anti-Zionism End and Anti-Semitism Begin?
Nick Coatsworth
Former Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Australia; infectious disease and respiratory specialist
Canberra Hospital, Nine Network
Episode: What Australia's Covid Frontman Regrets
Angus Taylor
Opposition Leader, Liberal Party of Australia
Liberal Party of Australia
Episode: Just Josh: Why Can't Politicians Answer A Question?
John Safran
Australian documentary maker, provocateur, and media figure
Safran Films / SBS project
Episode: Nazi Salutes = Free Speech? with John Safran
David Moscrop
Canadian writer, academic and public intellectual; political scientist
Canadian academic and writer
Episode: Should You Be A Nationalist?
Laurie Paul
Professor of philosophy and cognitive science at Yale University
Yale University
Episode: Why Smart People Make Dumb Choices
Steve Rosenbaum
Emmy-winning former television news producer, TED resident, author
The Future of Truth book
Episode: 'Truth' in an Age of A.I.

Host

Josh Szeps
Host of Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 3.1k ratings
  • Josh versus The News 📰

    💯 accurate!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TeresaMcg8
    Australiaa month ago
  • Josh, can you please have a specialist in abortion on to counter act the misinformation Joanna Howe spat out in her interview. You are generally so well informed, however, there were countless holes in her argument medically speaking. Orherwise, love the podcast.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    emilyaustralia
    2 months ago
  • Annoying

    The sound of his voice is grating after a minute of two, his opinions of no importance. I feel sorry for this wanna be.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    seesaw70
    United States2 months ago
  • Excellent

    Always interesting and balanced. Thanks Josh for making having uncomfortable conversations possible with the interviews you do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FrenchHeather
    France3 months ago
  • AI with Joel

    Josh, This was a sensational episode that i have been motivated to share with 20 or so family and friends. A seminal piece raising concerns and provoking thought into profound change that is upon us.

    My discussion points with family; Yes agree, its going to be one of the biggest challenges, probably the biggest educational challenge in human history when you think about it. It will be the first time that humans have not got full controll over education of younger generations. You will be able t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Riveting Stu
    Australia4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners criticize pacing or interruptions in certain episodes.
Occasionally polarizing but thought-provoking and well-researched.
Balanced, thoughtful discussions with challenging guests.
Audiences appreciate candid questions and deep dives into complex topics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#103
Australia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#186
Ireland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#247
Finland/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"Smile! Civilisation is Collapsing" with Sarah Wilson
Q: What's your take on how to address polarization in a way that doesn't demonize opposing viewpoints?
By fostering genuine dialogue, emphasizing shared human needs, and modeling compassionate, curious engagement—while recognizing that disagreement is normal and can co-exist with public progress.
"Smile! Civilisation is Collapsing" with Sarah Wilson
Q: You describe collapse in terms of gradual systemic failure rather than a single apocalyptic moment. How should listeners interpret this in their own lives?
Accepting gradual collapse means acknowledging interdependence of climate, economy, technology, and social systems, then focusing on practical resilience: communities, critical thinking, and humane actions rather than fatalism.
"Smile! Civilisation is Collapsing" with Sarah Wilson
Q: Let's start with aesthetics: which appeals to you more, the Eiffel Tower or a colossal UFC arena being built at the White House?
Aesthetics aside, the deeper point is how grand symbols reflect societal narratives; the discussion uses the arena as a metaphor for spectacle, risk, and distraction in modern politics and culture.
What Australia's Covid Frontman Regrets
Q: Looking back, what do you think about vaccine mandates?
Mandates were a difficult policy choice; I now recognize they caused real harm to some individuals and should be replaced with policies that prioritize voluntary uptake with robust education and support, while ensuring healthcare workers remain protected.
What Australia's Covid Frontman Regrets
Q: What were your thoughts when the border closures were implemented in Australia early in the pandemic?
I trusted the health system's capacity and supported aggressive measures like border closures to prevent overwhelming hospitals, even as I later reflected on coordination challenges and the need for better preparation.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Uncomfortable Conversations

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

A provocative interview show that tackles big-picture politics, policy, culture, and technology through long-form conversations with leading thinkers, journalists, and policymakers. Episodes frequently explore democracy, media truth, free speech, nationalism, global geopolitics, and the ethical dimensions of policy decisions, often provoking challenging questions and civil debate. Notable is a willingness to mix hard-edged analysis with wit and cultural references, inviting guests from academia, government, media, and activism to unpack how ideas shape public life. The format tends to center the host's perspective on uncomfortable conversations and not-so-simple answers, making it appealing to listeners who want clarity amid complex, conten... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Uncomfortable Conversations?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Uncomfortable Conversations:

1. Conversations with Coleman
2. Quillette Podcast
3. The Unspeakeasy With Meghan Daum
4. Making Sense with Sam Harris
5. The Michael Shermer Show

How many episodes of Uncomfortable Conversations are there?

Uncomfortable Conversations launched 11 years ago and published 521 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 Uncomfortable Conversations?

Recent guests on Uncomfortable Conversations include:

1. Sarah Wilson
2. Matt Taibbi
3. David Harris
4. Nick Coatsworth
5. Angus Taylor
6. John Safran
7. David Moscrop
8. Laurie Paul

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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