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Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes548Founded11 years ago
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Society & CultureComedyComedy Interviews

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Latest Episodes

What should we make of the public shaming machine we have built?

Following the death of the Cambridge academic Jason Arday, Josh checks in with the godfather of public shaming, Jon Ronson. His 2015 book So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed was the first b... more

Peter Beinart is arguably the world’s most influential Jewish anti-Zionist.

He’s a journalist and a professor of journalism and political science. But in American and Jewish cultural life, he’s far more than that -- a lightning rod, a traitor, a tr... more

What unites Trump and Obama, Pepsi and Coca-Cola, the far right and the far left? They’re all brilliant at defining their brands. They have a clear narrative. They can tell a compelling story about the world and their place in it.

So much of life, o... more

What does it mean to be a dissident? If you join a protest march, are you dissenting… or conforming? How should you push back against leaders who wield fear and intimidation; against digital technology that dehumanises you and flattens us all?

Gal B... more

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Recent Guests

Matt Jones
Political strategist and speechwriter for the British Conservative Party (former)
Branding and political strategy
Episode: How Branding Replaced Facts in Politics
Gal Beckerman
Staff writer at The Atlantic; author of How to Be a Dissident
The Atlantic
Episode: How to be a Dissident
Helen Lewis
Staff writer at The Atlantic, author of recent cover story The New Gender War
The Atlantic
Episode: Buckle Up for “the Manosphere 2.0” - Helen Lewis
Jillian Spencer
Senior child and adolescent psychiatrist, Queensland Health
Queensland Health
Episode: Is this Child Psychiatrist "Anti-Trans"?
Steve Stewart Williams
Professor of psychology, evolutionary psychologist
University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus / University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
Episode: How Evolution Shaped Men vs Women
Ryan Martin
Educator, speaker, parent; author of Little Effers
Author of Little Effers
Episode: Have Kids Become Little Shits?
David Volodzko
Journalist and free speech advocate; editor at FIRE
Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE)
Episode: Race, ICE & the "Woke Right"
David Enoch
Ethicist and philosopher of law; professor at Oxford University
Oxford University
Episode: Is Morality Made Up?
Harry James
Survivor of child sexual abuse; author of Transform Your Pain Into Purpose
Author, Advocate
Episode: Why We Don’t Believe Boys: Female Grooming & the Male Teen

Host

Josh Szeps
Host known for leading uncomfortable conversations on politics, culture, and society; frequently engages with guests to unpack controversial topics.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 3.1k ratings
  • Ryan Martin

    This was the best interview for every person in a parenting role.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LaylaMG5
    Australiaa month ago
  • Hated by Both

    It’s great to read reviews that hate you from sides of the isle. Please keep contributing to conversations regardless of what your audience wants to hear. Thanks Josh!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hooked On Nature
    Australia2 months ago
  • Intellectual and, at times, hilarious

    Josh is an inspiration for having more of these types of conversations in my life. For me, his show is a really good reminder to be curious and open-minded rather than defensive when you meet someone with a dissenting opinion. I don’t agree with all of his views, but isn’t that the whole point?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wildrose419
    Australia2 months ago
  • Smooching Butt!

    Taibbi became a tool of Trump and Elon and you smooched his butt without challenging him. Disappointing. The old Josh would have done way better.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    80'sVillager
    United States2 months ago
  • Smiling

    Thank you for the conversation with Sarah. Unsettling and empowering all at once.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    thermosprotection1
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests bring strong expertise; the debates feel nuanced rather than partisan.
The host asks tough questions but stays civil, keeping conversations constructive.
Listener sentiment varies; some episodes feel pointed or provocative, others deeply insightful.
Production quality and editing are generally tight, making complex topics 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.

How Branding Replaced Facts in Politics
Q: What exactly unites Donald Trump and Barack Obama?
Branding and the ability to tell a compelling narrative that defines themselves and resonates emotionally with people, more than any single policy detail.
Why We Don’t Believe Boys: Female Grooming & the Male Teen
Q: I mean, at what point were you actually having sex, and was that a-
The guest explains it began within weeks after the relationship started, describing coercion and the sense of being on top of the world while misperceiving it as love, and later recognizing the abuse.
"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.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Uncomfortable Conversations

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

The show centers on provocative, candid conversations that challenge conventional wisdom across politics, culture, and society. Episodes frequently feature executives, journalists, academics, and insiders who bring expert context to hot-button topics such as free speech, gender, parenting, education, and political branding. The host steers conversations toward practical implications and real-world dynamics, often highlighting how narratives shape public discourse more than facts. Listeners can expect thorough debate, diverse viewpoints, and a willingness to tackle controversial subjects with curiosity, civility, and a bias toward unpacking uncomfortable questions. A notable strength is its ability to attract high-profile guests from politic... 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. Making Sense with Sam Harris
4. The Good Fight
5. The Comedy Cellar: Live from the Table

How many episodes of Uncomfortable Conversations are there?

Uncomfortable Conversations launched 11 years ago and published 548 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. Matt Jones
2. Gal Beckerman
3. Helen Lewis
4. Jillian Spencer
5. Steve Stewart Williams
6. Ryan Martin
7. David Volodzko
8. David Enoch

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