Rome conjures up strong images and ideas for many of us – but what if everything we think we know about the era is totally wrong? Alex von Tunzelmann speaks with Edward J. Watts, author of The Eternal Decline and Fall of Rome: The History of a Dangerous Idea and the upcoming The Romans: A 2,000-Year History, to discuss the falsehoods that need clearing up.
• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.
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Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.
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31:23
Burning up – The Dark Side of the Summer of ’76
Legendarily hot, dry and hedonistic, the Summer of ’76 burnt itself into our cultural memory as a kind of Ultimate Summer. But the record temperatures, the soul and disco classics and the sense of youth breaking free took place against a backdrop of economic collapse, political failure and barely suppressed rage. These were the Dark 70s of the Southall Riots, the Ripper and the Black Panther, police queerbashing and simmering hatreds. John L. Williams, author of Heatwave: The Summer of 1976 – Britain At Boiling Point, talks to Andrew Harrison about four months of tension that birthed punk rock, Thatcherism and a more cynical Britain.
• Buy Heatwave: The Summer of 1976 through our affiliate bookshop and you’ll help fund The Bunker by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.
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• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.
Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Sara Farolfi. Produced by Liam Tait. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production
www.podmasters.co.uk
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36:24
Los Angeles protests: What it’s like on the ground – American Friction crossover
A special crossover edition from our partner podcast American Friction… The news has focused heavily on sensational images from LA, but what is the real feeling among protestors – and how did this all escalate? Ben Camacho is a journalist covering the situation – who was shot by two rubber bullets himself doing so. He joins Jacob Jarvis to give an on the ground perspective of what’s happening.
Hear more from American Friction: linktr.ee/americanfriction
See more of Ben’s reporting on LA at The Southlander: https://thesouthlander.com/
• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.
Written and presented by Jacob Jarvis Audio and video editor: Simon Williams. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis Executive producer: Martin Bojtos. Artwork by James Parrett. Music: Orange Factory Music. The Bunker and AMERICAN FRICTION are a Podmasters Production. www.podmasters.co.uk
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28:26
MAGA vs. the cartels: Is Trump's war on Mexico's gangs backfiring?
As Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum ramps up high-tech crackdowns on the nation’s cartels, Trump’s chaotic second term is throwing a spanner in the works. Alex von Tunzelmann speaks to David Shirk, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of San Diego, to find out whether the MAGA movement is helping Mexico’s fight against organised crime or making things worse.
• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to https://indeed.com/bunker for £100 sponsored credit.
www.patreon.com/bunkercast
Follow us on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bunkerpod.bsky.social
Written and presented by Alex von Tunzelmann. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Robin Leeburn. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.
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34:58
Streak of Madness – Is Tulsi Gabbard a threat to US security and more?
From antiwar, Biden-backing Democrat to apologist for Assad and Putin and finally strident Trump loyalist, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s political journey has been astonishing. Her taste for strongmen and conspiracy thought makes her perfect tool for Trump’s revenge on the intelligence community. The Guardian’s global affairs correspondent Andrew Roth explains why Gabbard’s appointment amounted to a middle finger to the security establishment, how she’s embedding paranoid social media politics into the heart of government, and what motivates the woman Russian TV called “our girlfriend”.
• Listen to American Friction on the explosive Musk vs Trump argument now.
• Support us on Patreon for early episodes and more.
• We are sponsored by Indeed. Go to Indeed.com/bunker to get your £100 sponsored credit.
Written and presented by Group Editor Andrew Harrison. Audio production by Tom Taylor. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Managing Editor Jacob Jarvis. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production
www.podmasters.co.uk
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News without the nonsense, every weekday morning. In episodes that fit your commute*, The Bunker cuts through the noise to make sense of what’s really going on in news, current affairs, politics, economics and culture. We bring you smart explainers, interviews, fresh perspectives and under-reported stories to as a refreshing alternative to repetitive Punch and Judy news coverage. It’s the only way to start the day. From the producers of Oh God, What Now?
Our regulars include: Gavin Esler • Ros Taylor • Alex von Tunzelmann • Andrew Harrison • Zing Tsjeng • Jacob Jarvis • Emma Kennedy • Rafael Behr • Seth Thévoz.
• Sign up to support the podcast and get episodes ad-free and early: patreon.com/bunkercast
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(* Even if it’s just from the kitchen to the front room. )
The Bunker is a Podmasters production.