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Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps

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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes528Founded11 years ago
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Comedy InterviewsSociety & CultureComedy

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Artwork for Uncomfortable Conversations

Latest Episodes

Is everything you believe about right and wrong just an accident of where you were born? Or is morality a universal truth waiting to be discovered?

And if you dedicate your life to answering these questions, how would you feel if one of the greatest... more

When Harry was thirteen, his stepmother initiated a sexual relationship with him that lasted for three years and made him a father at fifteen. The horror and confusion of feeling complicit, of being treated as the guilty party, of seeing bystanders g... more

Australia's most famous TV host has just been cancelled… but has he really?

The "Matt Lauer of Down Under", Karl Stefanovic, hosted the TODAY Show for more than two decades. Suddenly, he was fired on Friday after a chummy interview on his new indepe... more

Why don't Palestinians have a state?

To answer "because Israel" is to treat Palestinians as props in a Western morality play, rather than as a people in a fight for survival. The true tale of Palestinian resistance is an incredible story of power, Z... more

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Recent Guests

Karl Stefanovic
Australian television presenter, host of the Karl Stefanovic Show on a major network
Nine Network (Nine)
Episode: Josh vs the News: The TODAY Show, Cancel Culture, and Karl's Free Speech
Haviv Rettig Gur
Israeli journalist and Middle East analyst
The Times of Israel, The Free Press
Episode: Why don't Palestinians have a state? Haviv Rettig Gur on the True Tale of Palestinian Resistance
Ed Coper
Australian progressive activist who built digital political campaigning
GetUp and related campaigns
Episode: Angertainment: How Online Outrage Ruined Everything
Ben Appel
Author of Cis White Gay, The Makings of a Gender Heretic
Author/Commentator
Episode: The Gays Who Reject "LGBTQ+"
Sean Gregory
Senior sports correspondent, Time Magazine
Time Magazine
Episode: WTF? Gladiator Battles on the White House Lawn: How MMA & the Manosphere Took Over America (& the White House)
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

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
    Australia2 months 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
    3 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 States3 months ago
  • Excellent

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FrenchHeather
    France4 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
    Australia5 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

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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

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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. Making Sense with Sam Harris
3. Quillette Podcast
4. The Comedy Cellar: Live from the Table
5. The Unspeakeasy With Meghan Daum

How many episodes of Uncomfortable Conversations are there?

Uncomfortable Conversations launched 11 years ago and published 528 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. Karl Stefanovic
2. Haviv Rettig Gur
3. Ed Coper
4. Ben Appel
5. Sean Gregory
6. Sarah Wilson
7. Matt Taibbi
8. David Harris

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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