Notes From Plague Island
by Exploring the crossroads of politics, culture, and society
Welcome to Notes From Plague Island, the podcast companion to our blog exploring the tangled intersections of politics, culture, and history from the UK and beyond. From the aftershocks of Brexit to the rise of populism, from the erosion of democracy to the cultural moments shaping our world, we bring sharp analysis and fresh perspectives rooted in critical theory and lived experience.Join us, your hosts, L&A, as we unpack the stories behind the headlines, challenge conventional narratives, and navigate the complex terrain of our increasingly polarized world. Notes From Plague Island invites you to reflect, question, and connect.Whether you’re a political junkie, a history enthusiast, or someone grappling with today’s cultural and societal challenges, this podcast is your guide through the storm. Welcome to the island. Let’s make sense of it together. www.plagueisland.com
Episodes
-
(Free Podcast) Gaza: Destroying the Past to Prevent Return
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.plagueisland.com/subscribe
-
(Podcast - Free) The Doctors Israel Tortured
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.plagueisland.com/subscribe
-
(Audio) Monuments to Genocide: The Redevelopment of Gaza
Imagine a gleaming Trump Tower rising along the Mediterranean coastline, its golden facade casting shadows over the rubble of what was once a bustling Palestinian town. Luxury beachfront resorts cater to wealthy tourists, while infinity pools and golf courses stretch across land that once…
more -
(Audio) The Comfort of Illusion: Hypernormalisation in Modern British Politics
As we enter 2025, the UK political landscape bears an uncanny resemblance to the paradoxical situation described by Russian historian Alexei Yurchak in his seminal work ‘Everything Was Forever, Until It Was No More: The Last Soviet Generation’ (2005). Yurchak coined the term ‘hypernormalisation’…
more -
(Audio) The Musk Effect: Polarization and the Future of UK Politics
‘The UK is becoming a tyrannical police state,’ Elon Musk declared in a recent tweet (Musk, 2024), igniting a firestorm of outrage and plunging himself into the heart of British political discourse. Musk’s remarks about grooming gangs, his inflammatory accusations against Labour MP Jess Phillips,...
-
(Audio) Farage’s Historical Revisionism: Myth-Making in Modern Politics
Nigel Farage’s New Year message, delivered from historic Blenheim Palace, represents more than just a political rallying cry. It exemplifies a growing trend among populist and authoritarian figures to manipulate history for self-serving agendas. Farage’s invocation of a simplified and sanitized...
-
(Audio) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Conspiracy, Controversy, and the Future of Public Health in America
As Donald Trump prepares to begin his second term as President of the United States, his cabinet appointments are making headlines for their audacity and controversial implications. Among them, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stands out as the presumptive nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services....
-
(Audio) The New MAGA Civil War: How H-1B Visas Are Splitting Trump's Coalition
As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House for his second term, a storm that has been brewing within his base threatens to become a full-blown tempest. The MAGA movement, once a unified force that propelled Trump back to power in the 2024 election, now finds itself deeply divided over…
more -
(Audio) President Musk: The Shadow Power Behind Democracy's Decline
In recent years, the political landscape has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the stance of one of tech's most prominent figures. Elon Musk, once perceived as a centrist innovator pushing the boundaries of electric vehicles and space exploration, has increasingly aligned himself with...
-
(Audio) The Road to Bethlehem: A Critical Examination of Palestinian Oppression
Each year, the story of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem is recounted as a journey emblematic of perseverance in the face of adversity. Their path, fraught with uncertainty and challenges, mirrors the daily struggles faced by Palestinians in the occupied territories. However, if this...
-
(Audio) The New Feudal Lords: Trump, Musk, and Farage's Power Play
In an era of rapid technological change and political upheaval, the world is witnessing a profound shift in the nature of power and governance. This article explores the concept of neo-medievalism, a framework that suggests our global order is increasingly resembling the complex, overlapping...
-
(Audio) Starmer's WASPI Betrayal: Labour's Shameful Abandonment of Working-Class Women
Remember he's on his big fat DPP pension. What does he know about ageing women?’ These scathing words from veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott lay bare the utter disconnect between Labour's leadership and the plight of millions of women they've so callously abandoned. Abbott further stated, ‘This…
more -
(Audio) Brave Sir Boris and the Brexit Windmills: A Knight's Quest for Relevance
In a display of political theatrics that would make even the most melodramatic medieval minstrel blush, Boris Johnson, the self-styled knight errant of Brexit, has once again donned his rusty armor to defend the fair maiden of British sovereignty. But this time, it's not just the dastardly Sir…
more -
Keir Starmer’s Panic Reset: Stuck in the Muddled Middle While Britain Suffers (Audio)
Keir Starmer is struggling to find his footing. After just five months in power, his Labour government has delivered disappointment. Inheriting a chaotic legacy from the Tories was always going to be a monumental challenge. The country’s economy is stagnant, public services are creaking under…
more -
Behind the Wall (Audio)
Watching The Zone of Interest, Jonathan Glazer's haunting film about the banality of evil at Auschwitz, one is confronted with the chilling ordinariness of monstrous acts. The film explores how unspeakable cruelty can be normalized, hidden behind walls—both physical and psychological—by those who...
-
From MAGA to Eternity: Examining Sado-Populism and Eternity Politics in Trump's Second Presidency (Audio)
The 2024 U.S. presidential election has reignited discussions about the nature of populism and its impact on democratic institutions. Donald Trump's return to power after a controversial first term raises important questions about the resilience of American democracy and the appeal of what Yale...
-
Respect the Result? Only When It Suits You (Audio)
The 2024 UK general election has revealed a familiar and unsettling pattern within the political right. As Labour, under Keir Starmer, emerged victorious, a significant portion of the right-wing media and its supporters began calling for a rerun of the election, citing broken promises and alleged...
-
Farage's MAGA Moment: How Trump's Toxic Tactics Are Poisoning UK Politics (Audio)
Nigel Farage, the political chameleon who has never met a populist bandwagon he didn't want to ride, is at it again. This time, he’s cribbing shamelessly from Donald Trump's playbook, transforming Reform UK into a MAGA tribute act that's as cringe-worthy as it is dangerous. While right-wing...
-
Shadow of Blair (Audio)
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent engagement with BlackRock, the world's largest asset management firm, has sparked controversy and raised significant questions about the Labour Party's future direction. By forging a partnership with BlackRock, Starmer signals a shift towards embracing big...
About this show
Welcome to Notes From Plague Island, the podcast companion to our blog exploring the tangled intersections of politics, culture, and history from the UK and beyond. From the aftershocks of Brexit to the rise of populism, from the erosion of democracy to the cultural moments shaping our world, we bring sharp analysis and fresh perspectives rooted in critical theory and lived experience.Join us, your hosts, L&A, as we unpack the stories behind the headlines, challenge conventional narratives, and navigate the complex terrain of our increasingly polarized world. Notes From Plague Island invites you to reflect, question, and connect.Whether you’re a political junkie, a history enthusiast, or someone grappling with today’s cultural and societal challenges, this podcast is your guide through the storm. Welcome to the island. Let’s make sense of it together.
www.plagueisland.com
Hosted by
Exploring the crossroads of politics, culture, and society