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What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel

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From Donald Trump's tariffs to Elon Musk's Teslas; from the rise of Reform to 'Woke Marxist Popes' and the axing of Winter Fuel Payments, award winning comedian Mark Steel and some very special guests attempt to answer the most taxing intellectual question of our time... What The F*** Is Going On?! Get video versions and instant access to the full interviews on Patreon.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes207Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureComedy

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Artwork for What The F*** Is Going On?

Latest Episodes

Mark is joined by journalist and author Johann Hari as they discuss loneliness and disconnection, why depression and addiction are rising, the limits of individual self-help, how social media and modern capitalism shape our mental health, the politic... more

Mark is joined by historian and author Caroline Biggs as they discuss Cambridge University’s forgotten history of imprisoning women, the extraordinary story behind The Spinning House, class privilege and power, how suspicion became guilt, and why the... more

This week Mark continues his conversation with Marcus Brigstocke. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.

Want to get access to the full video interview bef... more

Mark is joined by comedian Marcus Brigstocke as they discuss growing up in privilege, being expelled from boarding school, addiction and recovery, how comedy shaped his politics, class and inequality in Britain – and what it means to stay hopeful whi... more

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Recent Guests

Caroline Biggs
Author of 'The Spinning House', which details historical injustices faced by women in Cambridge.
Episode: Ep 172 with Caroline Biggs
Marcus Brigstocke
Comedian, actor, and political activist known for his work in comedy and fascination with music.
Episode: Ep 171 with Marcus Brigstocke (Part 1)
Marina Purkiss
Co-host of The Trawl, political commentator with a background in marketing and social media engagement.
The Trawl
Episode: Ep 170 with Marina Purkiss & Jemma Forte (Part 1)
Jemma Forte
Co-host of The Trawl, has a diverse background in entertainment and political commentary.
The Trawl
Episode: Ep 170 with Marina Purkiss & Jemma Forte (Part 1)
Andrew Fisher
Former Executive Director of Policy for the Labour Party.
Episode: EP 169 with Andrew Fisher (Part 1)
Jeremy Corbyn
Former leader of Her Majesty's Opposition and politician
Labour Party
Episode: Ep 168 with Jeremy Corbyn (Part 1)
Rob Evans
Guardian journalist and co-author of the book 'Undercover'
The Guardian
Episode: Ep 167 with Rob Evans (Part 1)
Ash Sarkar
Political commentator and author
Episode: Ep 165 with Ash Sarkar (Part 2)
Zack Polanski
Member of the Green Party and candidate for its leadership
Green Party
Episode: Ep 163 with Zack Polanski (Part 1)

Host

Mark Steel
Award-winning comedian known for his humorous political commentary, leveraging personal anecdotes and societal critiques to engage audiences on complex topics.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 1.6k ratings
  • Such a valuable podcast

    I have loved Mark Steel’s world view for so long and this podcast is a remarkable entry into his world. Often I feel so desperately unhappy at the state of the world but Mark gives me that rare thing hope.

    His guests are chosen with such care and his style of interviewing them is just brilliant.

    Many many thanks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TSL-rkm
    United Kingdom22 days ago
  • Used to be a comedy podcast

    There were some jokes in the past. Now just preaching an unattainable ideology

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nick Mike John Paul Tim
    United Kingdom25 days ago
  • Loving it!!

    Just listened to the chats with Marcus Brigstocke and John McDonell, great insight to two very different characters with a lot to say! Mark brings an easy conversational approach and some very funny anecdotes! Keep it going!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Easy Reidy
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Always makes Total sense 🪬

    Hilarious and brilliant I love this pod Mark is an absolute Genius

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lara for Gaza
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Brilliant podcast

    Such a funny and thought provoking podcast, not loads of adverts like some! Love the banter with your son, a definite chip of the block! Fantastic x

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JoG661
    United Kingdom2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mixed feelings about recent shifts in focus toward longer interviews, with some fans expressing a preference for the original format, while others enjoy the depth the new style provides.
Listeners appreciate the strong blend of humor and incisive political commentary, making it a worthwhile experience for those engaged in current affairs.
Overall, the community enjoys the podcast for its intelligent humor and the thought-provoking insights it provides on societal issues.
The unique style of combining comedy with serious discussion is acknowledged, lending a relatable tone to thoughtful discourse.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#75
United Kingdom/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#187
Italy/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#247
Australia/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#84
New Zealand/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#164
Ireland/Comedy
Apple Podcasts
#207
Spain/Comedy

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep 172 with Caroline Biggs
Q: What were some of the historical injustices women faced at Cambridge University?
Women were unjustly arrested and imprisoned based solely on suspicion without fair trials, revealing deep-seated misogyny and a lack of understanding of women's rights during that era.
Ep 172 with Caroline Biggs
Q: What do you think has changed in the treatment of women since the time of The Spinning House?
In reality, the conversation around women's rights has progressed, but the core issues of gender inequality persist, showcasing little substantive change in societal attitudes.
Ep 170 with Marina Purkiss & Jemma Forte (Part 1)
Q: How do you view your political alignments?
It's difficult to categorize; I lean left but sometimes see merit in conservative views.
Ep 170 with Marina Purkiss & Jemma Forte (Part 1)
Q: What do you think makes your podcast so popular?
We try to research it properly and be informative while maintaining a very relatable tone.
EP 169 with Andrew Fisher (Part 1)
Q: What was your role with Labour during Jeremy Corbyn's leadership?
I was the Executive Director of Policy for the Labour Party between 2015 and 2019.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About What The F*** Is Going On?

What is What The F*** Is Going On? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series features an engaging blend of comedy and insightful commentary, tackling a wide range of socio-political topics that resonate with contemporary audiences. From humorously dissecting political developments and societal issues to exploring complex themes like economic disparity and activism, the content often reflects a mix of levity and earnest discussion. Notably, the inclusion of various guest speakers from diverse backgrounds adds depth to the conversations, allowing for rich dialogue on themes such as political activism, cultural criticism, and the absurdities of modern governance. The series is distinctive in its humorous approach to serious subjects, making it appealing to those interested in both comedy and critical societ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to What The F*** Is Going On??

These podcasts share a similar audience with What The F*** Is Going On?:

1. Mark Steel's in Town
2. Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
3. Comedy of the Week
4. The Bugle
5. Strong Message Here

How many episodes of What The F*** Is Going On? are there?

What The F*** Is Going On? launched 5 years ago and published 207 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 What The F*** Is Going On??

Recent guests on What The F*** Is Going On? include:

1. Caroline Biggs
2. Marcus Brigstocke
3. Marina Purkiss
4. Jemma Forte
5. Andrew Fisher
6. Jeremy Corbyn
7. Rob Evans
8. Ash Sarkar

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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