Shows
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps"Being Courageous in a Conformist World" with Sarah WilsonAre we too spoilt to be creative? Are we succumbing to decadent decline? How do you dissent when the incentives are to conform? How do the French retain the art of disagreement while the Anglosphere gets stuck in predictable squabbles? How can we grow a pair of collective cojones and defiantly create a better future? Today's episode would normally be paywalled. We're offering it as a free example of the kind of unstructured, unpredictable, unedited, freewheeling, thought-provoking clashes Josh does live on Substack, versus the more buttoned-up, pre-recorded tone of the podcast. Sarah Wilson is a...2025-06-191h 15
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: "Staying Sane on Israel"Anti-Zionism, antisemitism, Palestinians, Hamas, Israeli Arabs, diaspora Jews, Gaza, and now an all-out war with Iran. It's head-spinning, trying to make sense of Israel right now. Today, Josh comes to you battered and bruised by the slings and arrows of a national pile-on. He wrote the lead opinion piece in the big thumping weekend edition of Sydney's and Melbourne's biggest broadsheet newspapers, in which he argued for diaspora Jews to stop reflexively making excuses for Israel. The backlash has been as savage as you'd expect on a topic where nuance goes to die. From the...2025-06-1656 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPREMIUM: "Trump, the Left, and the Future of Liberalism" with Yascha MounkWhile the showdown continues over Trump's military deployment against Los Angeles protestors, can we take heart from the resurgence of anti-Trump liberalism in Canada, Australia, the U.K. and Europe? Could the Democrats capture that energy? If the culture has moved on from "wokeness", then what's the next paradigm for the Left? How should we think about immigration, multiculturalism, infrastructure, abundance, Obama’s legacy, and big-vs-small government in the next chapter of American political life? And can it really be true that Mississippians are richer than Italians? Yascha Mounk is one of Josh's favourite thinkers on how to...2025-06-0535 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJosh on... Can You Change People's Minds?We've got a special treat for you today. Josh sat down with the hosts of the "Changed My Mind" podcast, who interrogated him about whether it's really possible, in our divided times, to change someone's mind. Josh shares his thoughts about the art of persuasion; reveals topics on which his position has changed; and wrestles with conundrums like factory farming, freedom of speech and abortion. How persuadable are people, really? Josh is more hopeful than many. "Changed My Mind" is hosted by Aidan Alexander and Thom Norman. You can check out t...2025-05-191h 33
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps"Does Alien Life Exist?" with astrophysicist Dr Sara WebbAre we alone? If alien life exists, why can't we find it? What's "the great filter"? Why is the universe set up the way it is? What are the chances there 's some purpose to it all? And is BBC News correct in reporting that "Scientists find 'strongest evidence yet' of life on distant planet"? What have we actually found? What might it mean? Whenever the news turns to alien life, Josh turns to his favourite astrophysicist, Dr. Sara Webb, at the Swinburne Institute of Technology in Melbourne. Light up a reefer, lie on your back, gaze a...2025-05-081h 21
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps"American Authoritarianism" with Matt WelchWhat do you make of a U.S. government that snatches people off the street and disappears them into Central American prisons, forever, with no trial, and no way to appeal? Matt Welch is a libertarian journalist. He's no wild-eyed, Trump-loathing leftie. Fresh off the back of his appearance on Bill Maher, Matt joined Josh on Josh's streaming TV show, Szeps Live, to riff about Elon, DOGE, government effectiveness, abundance liberalism, high-speed rail, Orbán, Erdoğan, el Salvador, the Supreme Court, and, ultimately, whether America is sliding towards an illiberal, MAGA-tinged, Hungary-style democratic authoritarianism. Fo...2025-04-241h 24
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPREVIEW: "What Can Democrats Do?" with David PakmanThe Democratic Party is paralysed. It can't merely offer resistance to Trump. It also needs to offer an alternative to him. But how? Should they oppose his every move, as the likes of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Cory Booker believe? Or should they shut up and wait for the president to doom himself, as Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and former Clinton consultant James Carville prefer? How have Democrats fallen... and what can they do now? David Pakman is the guy Josh goes to for a vibe-check of the American left. He hosts one of the...2025-04-1720 minUncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps“Decoding the Gurus” with Chris Kavanagh and Matt BrowneWhen are independent shows like Uncomfortable Conversations serving a useful purpose... and when are they just preaching to the choir? "Decoding the Gurus" is a podcast that dissects how new-media personalities gain guru status. Frequently, such podcasters claim to be bravely challenging the status quo... while comfortably pandering to their team. Is Josh such a hack? Josh is in Tokyo visiting one of the Decoding hosts, Chris, who lives there. The three of them caught up to record this crossover episode -- reflecting on Josh's run-ins with the likes of Candace Owens and Joe Rogan...2025-04-141h 18
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: The Woke Catastrophe of “Snow White”If you want to see what's wrong with not being offensive, watch Snow White. The new Disney re-make is so committed to not offending anyone that it’s a social-justice jumble. Snow White isn’t white as snow; her love interest isn’t a prince; the dwarves aren’t “dwarves”; but there IS a dwarf in a non-dwarf role; Snow White doesn’t need a man; the man doesn’t “stalk” her; she’s a bad-ass independent gal; the word “dwarf” isn’t mentioned. It’s a mess. As Australian politicians introduce sweeping hate-speech laws, Josh argues that Snow White gi...2025-04-0328 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPREVIEW: “Does Ukraine Still Matter?" with correspondent Misha ZelinskyWhat are Trump and Putin cooking up for Ukraine? Can the Europeans sideline it? What options does Ukraine still have on the table? And does any of this really matter to non-Europeans any more? This week, the ceasefire talks that President Trump boasted he'd wrap up in 24 hours fell apart, again. Russia says it wants an end to the war, if Ukraine effectively surrenders. Trump now admits Putin might be "dragging his feet". Misha Zelinsky lived in Ukraine for the first year of the war, reporting from the conflict. A Fulbright Scholar and national security...2025-03-2738 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsBONUS: Josh on Israel-Palestine CoverageLast week, Arab leaders gathered in Egypt for a Palestine Summit. The 22-nation Arab League emerged with a re-energised Arab Peace Initiative to solve the Israel-Palestinian Conflict once and for all. Australia's largest and most trusted news organisation, the ABC, covered the event in an article entitled "This Plan Would End the Israel-Palestinian Conflict, But Israel Doesn't Like It". Josh has thoughts. This is a recording of an episode of Szeps Live, a weekly Substack Video Livestream. Most episodes will not be released in this feed. To watch or listen to Szeps Live (either live or delayed), s...2025-03-121h 21
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps"The Great Aussie Rort" with Punter's PoliticsVaried are the ways in which political parties, media moguls and corporations screw you. One man who stands up to them all -- or who at least makes funny, informative, viral videos explaining their shenanigans -- is the phenomenon known as "Punters Politics". Millions of Aussies devour his Instagram and YouTube videos to learn how the system is ripping us off. Why is there a revolving door between politicians and the industries they regulate? What does Norway do that we should, too? And what does it mean to “pass the pub test?” From Rupert Murdoch to m...2025-02-201h 15
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPREMIUM: "The Fallacy of Productivity" with Oliver BurkemanProductivity tips. Life hacks. Calendar apps. Magic mornings. Brain supplements. None of it will free you from the sense that there's more to do than you possibly can. That's because you're finite. Your time is finite, your focus is finite, and you're going to die. No productivity hack can change that. It's a liberating idea, if you look at it the way Oliver Burkeman does. Oliver was the second-ever guest on this podcast, at the height of the Covid pandemic, to discuss how to ignore the news. He returned in 2021 to di...2025-02-1738 minUncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJosh on Trump on GazaPresident Trump says the United States should take over the Gaza Strip and relocate its two million residents to neighbouring countries while we redevelop Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East." Josh has thoughts. To get more content like this and to join in the fun of the Uncomfy Convos multiverse, hit the Substack page at Subscribe to Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps Josh Szeps on YouTube 𝕁𝕠𝕤𝕙 𝕊𝕫𝕖𝕡𝕤 (@joshzepps) on X Instagram (@joshszeps) Josh Szeps on TikTok2025-02-0634 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps"American Oddities" with David FarrierWhy do Americans use shower curtains instead of glass shower stalls? How do you explain the success of The Olive Garden? And is Los Angeles really as foul as Josh claims? David Farrier is a New Zealand documentarian living in L.A., where his whimsical podcast Flightless Bird is produced by Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert production company. David premiered at the Sundance Film Festival with his extraordinary feature-length documentary, Tickled, and is a frequent collaborator with Flight of the Conchords' Rhys Darby. David swung by the Uncomfortable Conversations studio on a recent vi...2025-02-031h 13Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsInauguration Episode Two: Josh & the Anti-Trumper, David FrumWell, it's Trump's Inauguration. Again. On our previous episode, "Inauguration Episode One", Josh interviewed a pro-Trumper. Today, expand your thinking about the best- and worst-case scenarios of Trump's second term with a searingly cogent counter-opinion. David Frum is one of the most influential conservative "Never Trumpers". He worked in the White House as President George W Bush's speechwriter, and is now a staff writer at The Atlantic. He wrote the books Trumpocracy (2018) and Trumpocalypse (2020). Enjoy this bracing analysis from one of the most rigorous defenders of conservatism against the tide of rig...2025-01-201h 22Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsInauguration Episode One: Josh & the Pro-TrumperOn Monday, Donald J Trump will be sworn in as president. Again. To help us understand the best-case scenarios and worst-case scenarios for his second term, Josh has invited two diametrically-opposed thinkers. Today, the pro-Trump case with Batya Ungar-Sargon. On Inauguration Day, the anti-Trump case with David Frum. Batya is the deputy opinion editor of Newsweek and one of the most articulate pro-Trump voices in America. She has a PhD in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and promotes Trumpism from the "populist left". She has written two books, "Bad News: How Woke Media...2025-01-1658 minUncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: L.A. On FireAs Los Angeles burns, our thoughts are with everyone in L.A. In this special episode, Josh reflects on natural disasters, leadership, and the anniversary of the Black Summer fires in Australia. You can watch this conversation on YouTube, and you’re missing out on our best ad-free content if you haven’t popped your details into the Uncomfy Convos Substack page. http://twitter.com/joshzepps http://instagram.com/joshszeps/ http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations2025-01-1032 minUncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsAn Interview With JoshFor the first show of the year, an unexpected treat. A few months ago, Josh had an amazing conversation as a guest on a colleague's podcast. We bring this to you as a nice way to reset, to recalibrate, to reaffirm your mindset as we enter a fresh year. The show is called "A Lot to Talk About" and it's hosted by Bradley Dryburgh, a young guy whose parents were told his Cystic Fibrosis would ruin his life. Instead, he became an ultra-marathon runner, podcaster and motivational speaker. He invited Josh on...2025-01-021h 26Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps"Best & Worst Films of 2024" with Alexei ToliopoulosIt's one of the biggest weeks of the year at the box office. What's your most overrated and underrated movie of the year? Today, comedian and film buff Alexei Toliopoulos joins secret cinema nerd Josh Szeps to reveal which flicks to delight in and which to avoid. Plus, honourable mentions, the worst film of the year, and what to look out for from Hollywood in 2025. Merry Christmas, humans. Check out Alexei’s podcast ‘The Last Video Store’ HERE Watch this conversation on YouTube. And you’re missing out on our best ad-free co...2024-12-251h 08Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJosh's Christmas Feast with Gary KennedyOne of the greatest characters Josh regularly interviews is Gary Kennedy, the iconoclastic food scientist who oversees international food safety protocols and can answer every weird, wonderful, arcane food question that has ever popped into your noggin. How long can you leave a Christmas ham in the fridge after it sat on the table for three hours? Can you use just one chopping board for the whole feast? Will reheating Chinese fried rice kill you? Does a "best before" date mean anything? Is it more dangerous for Australians to eat stale prawns in the sun on...2024-12-231h 05Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps“The Elite 'Social Justice’ Scam” with Musa al-GharbiThe full conversation is almost two hours long and sbolitely fascinating. Enjoy this free preview or, to hear the whole shebang, subscribe at Uncomfortableconversations.substack.com "Woke” is such a tired word. Yet there remains a cultural elite which uses the language of social justice to gain power and status, without helping the disadvantaged. What’s going on? Musa al-Gharbi is an assistant professor of sociology who studies how knowledge workers have improved their cultural power by deploying the language of social justice to justify their own influence -- and to portra...2024-12-1933 minUncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsDAVID WALLIAMS & JOSH: Little Britain, Gender & SatireDavid Walliams is one of the most successful comedians in the world. On "Little Britain", his smash hit BBC sketch comedy show, he created characters whose catchphrases have become part of the culture: "I'm a lady", "Computer says No", and so many more. David did ten seasons as a judge with Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent, and has written 43 children's books that have sold over 60 million copies. Josh and David recently did a six-week, fifteen-show tour of Australia and New Zealand, where Josh interviewed him in front of tens of thou...2024-11-251h 25Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: "Me and Mr Jones"This is the most uncomfortable conversation Josh has ever recorded. He used to work for Alan Jones, the most powerful broadcaster in Australia. Now, he's been arrested on sexual assault allegations. (Alan, that is. Not Josh. Phew) Sexual predation. Political power. Investigative journalism. Innocence until proven guilty. Josh has never spoken publicly about his own experiences while working with Alan Jones. Until now. To get more content like this and to join in the fun of the Uncomfy Convos multiverse, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe ...2024-11-2241 minUncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsSTEPHEN FRY Visits JoshFew Britons are as iconic as Stephen Fry. On TV, he's an Emmy-winning comedy legend immortalised in shows like A Bit of Fry & Laurie, Jeeves & Wooster, and Blackadder. He has hosted the British Academy Film Awards twelve times and won six BAFTAs as the host of the smash-hit BBC television quiz show Q.I. On stage, Stephen's adaptation of Me and My Girl won two Olivier Awards. He was nominated for a Tony for his performance in The Globe's production of Twelfth Night on Broadway. O...2024-11-111h 14Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJOSH'S TAKE On Trump's WinWell, it's Trump. The morning after the election, Josh live-streamed his post-election analysis and his predictions for a second Trump term from Cambridge, England, and took live questions. Watch the video on Substack, or listen in right here. To get more content like this and to join in the fun of the Uncomfy Convos multiverse, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_ http://twitter.com/joshzepps http://instagram.com/joshszeps/ http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations 2024-11-0734 minUncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps2016 ELECTION TIME CAPSULE: Hear Josh's Reaction to Trump's First Election Win, with David PlotzThe full premium version of this episode is available as a free gift to you. This version here is just a teaser, but ALL ELECTION-RELATED CONTENT WILL NOT BE PAYWALLED if you access it on Substack. To hear this episode in its entirety, as well as all upcoming election episodes in full, you need to leave this app – you will NOT need to pay anything – and listen on Substack here: https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe At 11:00 a.m. on November 9th, 2016, the day after Donald Trump's surprise victory over Hillary Clinton, a shell-shocked Josh sa...2024-11-0120 minUncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsAmerica in the World: A Live-Streamed Dialog with Michael MoynihanThe full premium version of this episode is available as a free gift to you. This version here is just a teaser, but ALL ELECTION-RELATED CONTENT WILL NOT BE PAYWALLED if you access it on Substack. To hear this episode in its entirety, as well as all upcoming election episodes in full, you need to leave this app – you will NOT need to pay anything – and listen on Substack here: https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe Join Michael Moynihan of The Fifth Column and Josh Szeps of Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps as they tackle A...2024-10-3024 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsCOLEMAN HUGHES: Live At The Festival of Dangerous IdeasAre we too focused on race? Have recent anti-racist movements like Black Lives Matter abandoned the ‘colourblind’ spirit of the original civil rights movement? Coleman Hughes is an American writer, podcaster and public intellectual known for his criticism of modern social-justice ideas about racism and racial inequality. In this live Festival Of Dangerous Ideas edition of Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps, Hughes articulates his vision for a future where individuals are judged by ‘the content of their character’, not the colour of their skin. Drawing from research and personal insights, he argues for...2024-10-2159 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH SPECIAL: Sinwar's Dead. Now Bibi, End the War!Ding, dong, the psychopathic tyrant of Gaza is dead. Who was Yahya Sinwar? What does his death mean? Should Netanyahu declare victory and end the war? And why is Josh getting in trouble on Twitter over all this... again? To get more content like this and to join in the fun of the Uncomfy Convos multiverse, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_ http://twitter.com/joshzepps http://instagram.com/joshszeps/ http://tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations 2024-10-1823 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsCANDACE OWENS VS JOSHCandace Owens is one of the most popular commentators in the world. Initially critical of President Trump, she was a famous critic of Black Lives Matter and became the communications director for the conservative group Turning Point USA. Her talk show on the conservative website The Daily Wire, "Candace", was cancelled earlier this year after she made antisemitic remarks. She now runs her platform independently. Ahead of her Australian tour, Josh wanted to understand what she's up to and what makes her tick. To keep abreast of conversations like this, be su...2024-10-031h 11
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsKEITH URBAN VISITS JOSHKeith Urban is one of the world’s most popular musicians. He started out in Australia, moved to Nashville, worked his arse off, won a stack of Grammys and sold over 20 million albums. He’s about to start a residency in Las Vegas and he'll tour Australia in 2025. His new album is “HIGH”. Don’t miss the YouTube page to see Keith and Josh bantering in the flesh. And get more amazing conversations by popping your email address into our Substack supercomputer. http://twitter.com/joshzepps http://inst...2024-09-2333 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: Free Speech, Incitement & Elon Musk"The debate over free speech, hate speech, online harms, algorithms and social media is tangling us up in knots. Let’s get back to first principles, because our ability to survive the 21st century depends on it." So wrote Josh in Australia's top newspapers on the weekend, linked below. He had gotten into a stoush on the national TV panel show Q+A with Australia's eSafety Commissioner, whom Elon Musk calls a “censorship commissar”, over free speech on social media. Thanks to you, the listener whose attention makes this show possible, we needn...2024-08-2948 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsSenator David Pocock on "How to Be a Senator & World-Cup Athlete"Why do some people have strong moral opinions but don't act on them, while other people effect real change? It's a question Josh wanted to ask Australia's most influential athlete-turned-politican. David Pocock was a rugby champion who played for Australia's national team, one of the world's most iconic rugby sides. He then became the first senator not aligned with any major political party to represent the Australian Capital Territory. He was one of the most prominent faces in a tsunami of independents who annihilated the ruling conservative government. The billionaire backer of that political revolution...2024-08-121h 02
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: The Perfect Veep PickVice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate for the presidency, has chosen her running mate… and it isn’t one of the swing-state governors her pollsters were recommending. Josh is surprised, impressed, and uncharacteristically chipper about what this means for Harris, for the election and for the future of the American left. Cheer up and dive in to everything you need to understand about the possible fiftieth vice president of the United States, Tim Walz. To get more content like this and to join in the fun of the Uncomfy Convos multiv...2024-08-0725 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps“What Even Is the ‘Intellectual Dark Web’ Today?” with Dr Jamie Roberts DON'T MISS COLEMAN HUGHES AND JOSH LIVE IN MELBOURNE! GET TICKETS NOW AT https://bit.ly/Coleman-Szeps-Melb Vaccine mandates. Wokeness in Hollywood. The female pay gap. Race protests. Diversity programs. Covid lockdowns. #metoo. The so-called intellectual dark web tackled it all. A loose grouping of dissenting intellectuals and commentators, they sought to buck taboos and open minds. What happened? Who went down the rabbit hole to crazy town, and who maintained thier heads? And where is the space for sane dissent today? Dr Jamie Roberts is a pol...2024-08-051h 06
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps“Racial Identity in Europe” with Thomas Chatterton WilliamsFirst things first: The Uncomfortable Conversations LIVE touring empire is expanding, with live shows in Sydney and Melbourne in August with the inimitable Coleman Hughes. Tickets are selling fast. Get yours now. Don’t miss out: Sydney https://bit.ly/Coleman-Szeps-Syd Melbourne https://bit.ly/Coleman-Szeps-Melb Meanwhile, the new YouTube page is going gangbusters. The episode you're listening to was shot as an outdoor TV interview on an early spring day in a Manhattan park. Check it out and subscribe to YouTube for more cool videos to come: https://bit...2024-07-231h 03
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps"Is Josh a 'Bad Gay'?" with Alastair LawrieWhen Sydney's biggest broadsheet newspaper published an opinion piece by Josh on the occasion of the Mardi Gras Gay Pride Parade, it triggered a backlash from some in the LGBT+ community. One of Josh's attackers was a prominent activist, Alastair Lawrie, the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Justice and Equity Centre. Instead of arguing with Alastair on Twitter, Josh invited him on the show to hash out their differences and discuss what challenges the LGBTQ+ community still faces. To get more content like this and to join in the fun o...2024-07-1743 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps“Trump’s Prognosis” with David FrumWell, what happens now? Does Donald Trump win? Does he lose? To whom? What are we all in for? On the eve of Trump’s coronation as the Republican presidential candidate at the party’s National Convention this week, he was narrowly shot in an apparent assassination attempt at a rally. Is this the most dramatic election of our lives? David Frum is one of the most influential anti-Trumpers to come out of a Republican White House. As President George W Bush’s speechwriter, he's credited with the famous phrase the "axis of...2024-07-151h 42
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: Having a Dad with Alzheimer'sWhy does the death of some people punch us in the gut, and others slide by? Does your way of grieving indicate what you value in life? Judith Whelan died last night. She was 62. She was Josh’s mentor, his champion, his arch-defender, playmate, and confidante, despite being his boss’s boss’s boss. She is, in many ways, the person who made Josh’s current career possible. Another mentor and friend, Howard Fineman, died two weeks ago. And Josh’s father is in the death spiral of Alzheimer’s. Her...2024-06-2732 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps“Why the Kids Aren’t Alright” with Dr Billy GarveyWhat's up with kids these days? ADHD. Autism. Bullying. Toxic boys. Self-harming girls. Social media addiction. Coddled teens. Anxious parents. A lot of folks are wringing their hands about the young-un's mental health. Josh thought he'd pick the brain of one of the world's leading experts who actually works at the coalface with troubled kids. Dr Billy Garvey is a senior specialist in child mental health at one of the largest tertiary paediatric hospitals in the world. Billy challenges many of Josh's assumptions about parenting and childhood. He's a fascinating, insightful, riveting guy whose own p...2024-06-241h 10
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: PROTESTERS AT SEINFELDJosh was at Jerry Seinfeld's Sydney show last night, which was disrupted by Palestinian protesters in the audience. Josh shares his initial reaction and reflects on Gaza activism and anti-Zionism. To get more content like this and to join in the fun of the Uncomfy Convos multiverse, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_ http://twitter.com/joshzepps http://instagram.com/joshszeps/ tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations 2024-06-1950 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsHelen Lewis: The State of BritainAs the U.K. prepares for a sudden national election in four weeks, Helen Lewis and Josh wrestle with the issues that dominate all around the English-speaking world. Anger about rising prices – check. Anxiety about immigration – check. Dislocation due to globalisation – check. A culture war about wokeness – check. Helen is arguably Britain's most insightful and entertaining journalist. Her interview with Jordan Peterson for GQ has nearly 70 million views on YouTube. She's done several terrific radio series and podcasts: The Spark, Great Wives, and The New Gurus; and she co-hosts The Private Eye Podcast. Her book, Difficult...2024-06-031h 05
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: On ResilienceJosh had a rough week. He shares his advice about how to live a resilient, productive life -- to himself as much as to you. This is a preview of a longer monologue for paid subscribers. We hope you enjoy it. Thanks for listening. To get more content like this and to join in the fun of the Uncomfy Convos multiverse, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_ http://twitter.com/joshzepps http://instagram.com/joshszeps/ htt...2024-05-3022 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsTALKBACK: How Josh Keeps His Poise… and Are Christians Under Attack?We opened up the webcams for a live Zoom talkback episode. We discuss fascinating news stories, Josh shares a private essay he wrote to his friends who are having a dispute over Joe Rogan, and you’ll learn how he keeps his cool during testy conversations. Keep an eye out for more live talkback sessions in the future, and make sure you’re signed up to http://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com to be part of the team. http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_ http://twitter.com/joshzepps http://instagram.com/joshszeps/ 2024-05-2435 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsWendy Harmer ‘On Being Australia’s Ricky Gervais'Wendy Harmer is the most groundbreaking female comedian in Australia. She shattered the glass ceiling in the 1980s as a stand-up comic and TV host, before ruling the radio airwaves for decades. Her book is “Lies My Mirror Told Me: A frank, funny, fearless memoir”. Josh picks her brain about when she bombed hosting television’s night of nights. This is a taste of a longer episode for premium subscribers. If you'd like to hear the whole thing, pop over to the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe Josh Szeps 𝕁𝕠𝕤𝕙...2024-05-2240 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: The Problem with the Conversation About Male ViolenceAustralia is in the grip of a national reckoning about male violence against women. Last month, 11 women died at the hands of men, almost half of whom were killed in the Bondi stabbing. Countless news reports describe an epidemic of men killing women. Rallies all over the country emphasise the central message: Men Need To Do Better. But what do the facts say? How can we best fix the problem? And is Josh merely being a defensive, toxic male when he says it’s “not all men”? Josh seeks to bring reason to an emotional conversation. To ge...2024-05-0954 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsEiynah: Josh vs Anti-ZionismJosh wanted to explore the perspective of a Western leftist who's been condemning Israel and who understands the Middle East. Eiynah is a Pakistani-Canadian podcaster, illustrator and commentator who grew up in Saudi Arabia. Throughout the Gaza conflict, she has been vehement in her opposition to Israel. Eiynah's podcast is called Polite Conversations and you can follow her @NiceMangos. To get more content like this, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_ http://twitter.com/joshzepps...2024-04-151h 05
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: Insights From A TourNobody attended all seven live conversations with Douglas Murray. Nobody will ever hear them all. Except for Josh. Here, he brings you into the inner circle. What takeaways did Josh get? Was he frustrated by Douglas' blind spots? Has Douglas changed Josh's mind on Gaza, Zionism, trans issues or wokeness? This is a taste of a longer episode for premium subscribers. If you'd like to hear the whole thing, pop over to the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_ http://twitter.co...2024-04-0411 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPREMIUM PREVIEW: Douglas Murray LIVE Q&ADouglas Murray is one of the foremost conservative thinkers of our time. He's a journalist and author of numerous best-selling books who's appeared on some of the biggest stages around the world. Douglas and Josh just completed the first ever Uncomfortable Conversations live tour at sold-out venues in five cities, debating topics as diverse as the conflict in Gaza, cancel culture, gender dysphoria and much more. Here's the first taste of the tour: Two audience Q&A segments from the Brisbane and Adelaide shows, where Douglas and Josh attempted to solve the...2024-03-2823 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPETER GARRETT: Rockstar PoliticianPeter Garrett is one of the most iconic Australians. As the lead singer of Midnight Oil, he's had countless number one hits all over the world. He entered politics and reached the highest levels of government as a cabinet minister, including spearheading the campaign to ban Japanese whaling worldwide. As an environmentalist and indigenous rights activist, he has seen a half-century of social justice. Josh sits down with an Australian legend to pick his brain about modern culture, the left and the right, China, climate chaos and much more. To subscribe to Josh’s premium pod...2024-03-1758 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJOSH IN NYC: The Fifth ColumnWhen Josh left his ABC Radio show in December, keen observers recalled an appearance he'd made on the hugely popular US podcast The Fifth Column some months earlier, which had hinted that all was not well in paradise. For the first time since jumping off from the legacy media train, Josh sits down with the Fifth Colunmistas in New York City for a catch-up... and a review of the spiciest stories in the news. This is a crossover episode with The Fifth Column podcast. If you've already heard it on their feed, sorry. If you've n...2024-03-121h 30
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: Is Josh a Zionist?Yesterday we released a preview of this paid episode. Due to the reaction to the full episode on the paid feed, we are re-releasing it here for free as a public service. Amid the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, "anti-Zionism" has become shorthand for "anti-bombing-Palestinians". But what do we mean when we ask if someone opposes Zionism? Does being a “Zionist” mean you support Israel's brutality? Josh is being asked this question more and more. He tries to untangle an answer. To get more content like this and to join the Uncomfy Convos...2024-03-0824 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: Is Josh a Zionist?Amid the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, "anti-Zionism" has become shorthand for "anti-bombing-Palestinians". But what do we mean when we ask if someone opposes Zionism? Does being a “Zionist” mean you support Israel's brutality? Josh is being asked this question more and more. He tries to untangle an answer.
This episode is only available in full for premium subscribers. If you're not a paid subscriber, enjoy a short taste -- or, to experience the full multicoloured glory of Uncomfortable Conversations, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe
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Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: Cancelling Douglas MurrayWell, the knives are out. Later this month, Josh is touring Australia with the outspoken British journalist Douglas Murray. It's the first in a series of live tours that'll bring you the world's most interesting minds from across the entire political and ideological spectrum. You'll hear some of those events on this very pod. But now, the threat of cancellation looms. Activists are trying to force theatres to cancel the Douglas Murray events. Here, Josh shares his thoughts. This episode is only available in full for premium subscribers. If you're not a...2024-02-2911 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsTHE PANEL: Mardi Gras, Doxxing & PsychedelicsThis week, Josh is joined on the panel couch by Courtney Act, one of the world’s most iconic drag queens (or, rather, by her even more captivating alter ago, Shane Jenek) and by the ABC's National Technology Reporter, Ange Lavoipierre. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_ http://twitter.com/joshzepps http://instagram.com/joshszeps/ tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations2024-02-191h 10
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: The Rise of Woke SnitchesAnti-Zionist Instagram mums are on the hunt. They plan to expose secret WhatsApp messages where sniveling, bloodthirsty Jews like Josh plot. What’s up with snitching these days? Can we quit it already? Also, Josh bought a cat and needs your advice. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe http://youtube.com/@JoshSzeps_ http://twitter.com/joshzepps http://instagram.com/joshszeps/ tiktok.com/@uncomfyconversations2024-02-1232 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJUST JOSH: Why 2024 Will RockThe doomsayers are out in force, with plenty of gloomy prognostications for 2024. In this solo episode (also available on YouTube if you want to behold Josh’s staggeringly beautiful hair), Josh explains why — on climate, economics and politics — 2024 will be a helluva lot better than you think. Josh Szeps 𝕁𝕠𝕤𝕙 𝕊𝕫𝕖𝕡𝕤 (@joshzepps) on X Instagram (@joshszeps) Josh Szeps on TikTok2024-02-0336 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsTHE PANEL: Elon, Vapes & Lyin' PoliticiansJosh had a tradition on his radio show. Each Friday, he’d banter with two celebrities about the news. Well, behold this first-ever inaugural grand honorary opening maiden extravaganza lollapalooza: The Uncomfortable Conversations Panel. This week, our guests are the two most interesting people in the world: Sarah Wilson and Jessie Stephens. Sarah’s podcast is Wild, which you should listen to. She’s also a multi-New York Times best-selling author, social philosopher and keynote speaker. Jessie’s podcasts are Mamamia Out Loud and Cancelled, which you should also listen to. She’s also a best-sellin...2024-02-0226 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJames Kirchick: Is Hate Speech OK?Should swastikas be banned? Should you be allowed to chant “Palestinians are terrorists”? What about “trans women aren’t women”? Or “Covid was a hoax”? In an era of misinformation and hate speech, universities, governments and journalists are wrestling with whether to control what gets said. Should there be any limits? You’ve seen James Kirchick on Bill Maher’s show. He’s a big free-speecher; a writer, columnist, and a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. He and Josh butt heads debating free speech and hate speech in a chaotic wo...2024-01-301h 13
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsReflections on Australia DayToday, January 26th, is Australia's national day. It's hugely controversial, being the anniversary of the British Empire's arrival on indigenous land. On the morning of Australia Day, Josh reflects on race relations and the ongoing Australia-Day controversy. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed. Hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe Josh Szeps 𝕁𝕠𝕤𝕙 𝕊𝕫𝕖𝕡𝕤 (@joshzepps) on X Instagram (@joshszeps) Josh Szeps on TikTok2024-01-2640 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsElie Honig: Will Trump Go To Jail?Elie Honig used to prosecute the mafia in New York City. Now he’s CNN’s senior Legal analyst. As a seasoned prosecutor of organised crime, he helps Josh wrestle through Trump’s legal problems and their likely outcomes. Elie’s new book is “Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away with It”. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed. Hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe Josh Szeps 𝕁𝕠𝕤𝕙 𝕊𝕫𝕖𝕡𝕤 (@joshzepps) on X Instagram (@joshszeps) Josh Szeps on TikTok2024-01-231h 00
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsMeg Smaker: Rehabilitating TerroristsMeg made an astonishing documentary about Guantanamo terrorists who were released into a de-radicalisation program in Saudi Arabia. Then her film, The UnRedacted (Jihad Rehab), was cancelled… and so was she. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed. Hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe *CORRECTION: The UnRedacted (Jihad Rehab) is not yet available to watch at JihadRehab.com but Meg is working on it and it will be ready in the very near future. Follow Meg's my GoFundMe or Facebook page for the film for updates, links b...2024-01-161h 18
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsNigel Biggar: Was The British Empire Good?When we accuse a country of being a "coloniser", it's meant as a bad thing. But what if colonialism is okay? What if the British Empire was, on balance... good? That's the position of @NigelBiggar, a Professor Emeritus at Oxford University whose new book, “Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning”, is making heads explode all over Britain. Join Josh as he tries to wrestle with the ethics of the Raj, indigenous rights, racism, and one of the greatest crimes – or greatest virtues? – in political history. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Subs...2024-01-0951 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsRobert Sapolsky: Is Free Will An Illusion?How would your life change if you found out, beyond all doubt, that you're a robot? What if nothing you’ve ever done was your own free choice? What if your brain just tricks you into feeling like you’re choosing things it already planned? Josh can't believe that. But the Stanford Professor Robert Sapolsky, one of the world’s leading free-will sceptics, does. His latest book is “Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will”. Prepare to have your mind blown. If you have one. To subscribe to...2023-12-191h 02
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsBONUS: Why Jews Are Literally Nazis - Reflections on a Collapsing ConversationToday, over 3,200 of Josh’s arts-industry colleagues are engaging in a Palestinian Day of Action, wearing Palestinian scarves during performances nationwide. Josh, you’ll be shocked to learn, has some thoughts.2023-12-131h 43
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPeter McCormack: Digital Currencies & Spy StatesIn a future of digital spying, inflationary economies, incompetent central banks and petty authoritarians, could Bitcoin be the guarantee of all your other freedoms? Josh was on Peter’s blockbuster podcast, What Bitcoin Did, and now Peter stops by the Uncomfy Convos studio on a recent trip to Sydney. He’s a super smart thinker about the role of the individual, the state… and your wallet. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe2023-12-121h 30
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsDavid Pakman: How's America Doing?David Pakman is a progressive American political commentator who hosts one of the world’s most popular left-wing talk shows, with over 1.8 million subscribers. Josh picks his brain about the state of the media, of the Left… and of America. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe2023-12-0559 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsBari Weiss: Quitting The Mainstream MediaYippee-ki-yay, Josh has quit his ABC Radio show to double down on Uncomfortable Conversations. Starting in the new year, you'll get additional free episodes, a YouTube channel, a live tour and more. Before embarking on his adventure, Josh wanted to speak with the most successful person who has recently pulled it off. Bari Weiss was an opinion writer and editor at The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She walked away to do her own thing at The Free Press. Now more than ever, we need you to subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed. Hi...2023-11-211h 12
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsBrian Dunning: What Are UFOs?Brian Dunning is an expert on critical thinking, science and skepticism. His weekly podcast, Skeptoid, debunks conspiracy theories, and his new film is “The UFO Movie THEY Don't Want You to See”. Here, Josh tries to get to the bottom of what’s really going on with UFOs. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe2023-11-1459 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsEli Lake: Gaza & IsraelEli Lake is the former senior national security correspondent for The Daily Beast and Newsweek. He’s a contributing editor to Commentary Magazine and the host of the Re-Education Podcast. He was a syndicated columnist for Bloomberg between 2014 and 2022 and a former reporter at the New York Sun, the Daily Beast and the Washington Times. He and Josh debate Israel’s responsibility for the current crisis in Gaza. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe2023-10-241h 08
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsThe Fifth Column Guys: LIVE FROM NEW YORKJosh is in New York, where he just stopped by the studios of one of America’s greatest podcasts, The Fifth Column, to record this special crossover pod. Find Michael Moynihan, Kmele Foster and Matt Welch at https://wethefifth.com and https://wethefifth.substack.com. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe Grab your Exclusive NordVPN Deal by going to nordvpn.com/Conversations to get a Huge Discount off your NordVPN Plan + 4 extra months for free. It’s completely risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-ba...2023-10-031h 46
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsBonus: Josh's Thoughts on The VoiceAustralians are about to vote on whether to change the constitution to create a special advisory body for Indigenous Australians. Is it an overdue forum for justice? Or a risky, undemocratic game of identity politics? It’s the listener question Josh gets the most. Here, he tries to inject some sanity into an increasingly toxic debate. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe2023-09-2527 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsAmna Khalid: Campus CrazinessHas Louis CK reeeeeeally been “cancelled” if he still has a face? I mean, he wasn’t beheaded, ergo, “cancel culture” doesn’t exist. Amna Khalid is an equal-opportunity defender of free speech—a professor who slams wokesters… at the same time as legally opposing Florida’s war on woke universities. Anna’s blog and podcast, “Banished”, are about the history of censorship. This episode is part of Permission to Think, a collaboration with the University of Technology, Sydney, where Josh is a visiting fellow. A fabulous chat about the fate of education and the limits of free speech. To subscribe to J...2023-09-1246 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsAntony Loewenstein: Is Israel Immoral?Is Zionism a noble goal, or a form of colonial apartheid? Is a two-state solution possible? Desirable? Antony Loewenstein is a fierce critic of Israel and of the whole Zionist project. His new book is The Palestine Laboratory: How Israel Exports the Technology of Occupation Around the World. He and Josh debate the rights and wrongs of a Jewish homeland. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe2023-09-051h 14
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPremium: My Thoughts on BarbieIs Barbie the triumphant feminist critique of modern society it claims to be? The dust has settled on the mega-hit, so Josh finds some time to weigh-in. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe2023-08-3029 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps"Is Josh Racist?" with Mawunyo GbogboTalk about uncomfortable. The journalist Mawunyo Gbogbo has has twice accused Josh of being a racist bigot. Rather than argue with her on Twitter, Josh invited her into the hot seat. Her memoir is “Hip Hop & Hymns: A memoir of loving hard, falling apart and fighting back.” Here, for better or worse, the two of them hash it out.
To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.2023-08-291h 41
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsToby Walsh: Your Wild A.I. FutureIt’s being compared to the discovery of fire or of electricity. Either way, artificial intelligence will revolutionise human civilisation. How? Toby Walsh runs the AI Lab at UNSW and is a world-leading expert in AI. His most recent book is “Machines Behaving Badly: The Morality of AI.” Join him and Josh all the way down the rabbit hole. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe2023-08-221h 17
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPremium: How Josh Quit BoozeJosh used to drink a lot, and now he doesn't. One of the most frequently asked questions on our Ask Me Anythings, is how and why he quit. It deserves a longer explanation. Here it is. 2023-08-1822 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsMark Normand: Comedy In An Age Of Cancel CultureJerry Seinfeld personally chose Mark Normand to be his opening act. He’s a favourite of Joe Rogan and has appeared on CONAN, the Tonight Show & Late Show. Josh caught up with him, live and in-the-flesh, during Mark’s Australian tour. Mark’s new special Soup To Nuts is available on Netflix now. Check out the trailer HERE. Follow Mark on Twitter HERE. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe2023-08-081h 19
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPremium: When Josh Met Russell BrandIn a TV interview that put Josh on the map, Russell Brand shows up at Josh’s New York studio for the wildest ride of Josh’s life. Nipples are tweaked. Laptops are ruined. Wild minds are in flight. It’s one for the history books. Enjoy. To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe2023-07-3014 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPremium: Sean Szeps - Not Like Other DadsJosh's husband Sean’s memoir Not Like Other Dads was released in early June and has been a raging success. For this premium episode, they sit down and talk about the book, his motivations for writing it, and his experience, of their experience, of becoming parents.2023-07-2113 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps"The Next Level of Comedy" with Myq KaplanMyq is a New York comic who’s been on the Tonight Show, Conan, Letterman, James Corden, Seth Meyers, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, and America’s Got Talent. He also introduced Josh to ayahuasca. What happened next? To subscribe to Josh’s premium podcast feed, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe2023-07-111h 00
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps"RFK, Joe Rogan & Vaccines" with Michael ShermerPresidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr blew up the internet when he pushed anti-vaccine claims on Joe Rogan’s show. It’s déjà vu all over again for Josh, who had his own little vax run-in with Rogan last year. Should scientists and medical researchers do a better job of engaging with alternative media? America’s leading skeptic, Michael Shermer, thinks so. He and Josh hash it out. 2023-06-211h 06
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPremium: Josh's First Podcast - The Dawn of #WeThePeople LIVEOn a summer night in Brooklyn in 2015, in the week when Trump descended a staircase to declare his ridiculous stunt candidacy for the Republican nomination, Josh launched his first ever podcast. Jim Norton, Abbi Crutchfield and Kevin Allison lit up a dive bar, guzzling cocktails and bantering about the news. Be transported back to that event. To get your very own premium version of Josh’s podcast, hit the Substack page at https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/listen2023-06-1617 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps"Untangling Wokeness" with Sarah HaiderSarah Haider is a Pakistani-American writer and a ferociously clear-headed thinker about culture, society, identity politics, religion, cancel culture, sex and gender. She’s been featured on the BBC and in The Economist and recognized as a “Freethought Heroine” for her work co-founding a non-profit that assists dissident Muslims. Her podcast, A Special Place In Hell, is co-hosted by the equally curious contrarian feminist Meghan Daum. Here, Sarah and Josh wrestle with the biggest questions of contemporary culture. Enjoy the ride. To get your very own premium version of Josh’s podcast, hit the Substack page at https://u...2023-06-131h 06
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPremium: A First Date With JoshDo you know Josh? You may be surprised to hear his surprise when the show’s producer, Stefan Posthuma, turns the tables and puts Josh on the spot with some First Date Questions of his own.2023-05-2617 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPremium: When Josh Met Susan SarandonSusan Sarandon is an Academy Award winning actor, philanthropist and progressive activist. She joined Josh on his old TV show to talk about her rise in Hollywood, gun laws, drug laws and being a “milf”.2023-05-1320 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPremium: When Josh Met Dick CavettDick Cavett is one of the greatest television talk show hosts of all time. After being a writer on the original NBC Tonight Show (first with Jack Parr, then with Johnny Carson), Cavett got his own show in 1968. It ran for nearly 40 years and cemented him as a titan of American broadcasting, hosting seminal political debates as well as Hollywood’s biggest stars. A few years ago, Cavett appeared on Josh’s TV show. This is the audio of that encounter.2023-04-1323 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPremium: Josh Is In West Africa!Josh is backpacking around West Africa. As you do. What’s it like? He’s here to tell you, recorded live from the road (or the dusty track, as the case may be). Sign up below on our FREE Substack tier to hear the whole thing. https://uncomfortableconversations.substack.com/subscribe2023-04-0718 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPremium: The Deep Questions - How Loudly May I Poo In Public?In this brand new venture, Josh addresses some of life's deepest questions as posed by his friend and work colleague Robbie Armfield. In this first episode, Robbie has anxiety about generating sounds and aromas in the office toilet cubicle. Robbie has questions. Josh has the answers. You can find more from Robbie on his podcasts "Welcome to Meet You" and "Robbie's Modern Life".2023-03-1720 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJosh's Soap Box: Josh Is Getting Sued!This week Josh reflects, in a somewhat heated way, on the surreal injustices of the justice system. Plus: Aussie-made shoulder-launched drone guns. And sharks in Sydney harbour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2023-01-2142 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJosh's Soap Box: Is It Racist To Ask Where You're From?This week, Josh airs what's on his mind. Did the NFL star Damar Hamlin suffer cardiac arrest because he was vaccinated, or because he was smashed in the chest by six-foot-four, 220-pound receiver? Was the musical editor of The Simpsons, who died this week, the greatest TV composer of all time? We revisit the best-ever Simpsons songs to find out! Is there anything redeeming about seagulls? And as we learn new facts about the Buckingham Palace racism scandal, Josh finds himself confused... Is it always racist to ask where you're from? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...2023-01-0551 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsPREMIUM - Josh is on a BoatJosh is on his first ever cruise. A behemoth of the seas. From the discomfort of his stateroom, he shares surreal tales… and opines on the modern cruise industry, the Soviet Politburo, all-you-can-eat buffets, and the future of Communist China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-12-1111 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJosh's Soap Box: What I Got Wrong About CovidJosh is being eviscerated on social media for spreading pro-vaccine misinformation. Did he? What did he, and we, get wrong about Covid? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-11-1528 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJosh’s Soap Box: Twitter & AntisemitismJosh reflects on Elon Musk, Kanye, Israel, and the rise of online Jew-hate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-11-0428 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsJosh’s Soap Box: Kanye, hijabs and Taylor SwiftJosh reflects on Kanye's antisemitic meltdown, Taylor Swift's supposed fat shaming video and activism in Iran. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-10-2933 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh SzepsRoe v Wade: When Josh & Joe Rogan Debated AbortionA leaked opinion from the US Supreme Court suggests that women's right to an abortion may be overturned in America. Who gets to decide hot-button cultural issues? What would this bombshell tell us about democracy? In 2017, Josh and Joe Rogan argued about exactly this. Today, Josh reflects on that exchange. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2022-05-0530 min
Come Out Wherever You Are with Sean SzepsJosh Szeps is married to a man…but he’s not gayDoes everyone need to give their sexuality a label? Josh Szeps is a journalist and broadcaster who has been coming out regularly from the early 2000s to, well, yesterday. Josh had been in relationships with men and women prior to meeting and marrying Sean. Although they're married, Josh doesn't call himself gay. In fact, he doesn't call himself anything. In this episode Josh and Sean discuss why Josh avoids labelling his sexuality, coming out to each other throughout the course of their relationship and why Josh has to come out more than Sean. If this episode brought up any feelings fo...2021-09-2252 min
Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps"What's Wrong With Men?" with Michael Ian BlackMichael Ian Black is one of America's most popular stand-up comics. His new book is "A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son." He and Josh discuss progressivism, toxic masculinity, and riding moose. Plus, a Szeps election rant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2020-11-131h 40