The Parallel Political Universe of Love Actually
From the war on terror to the looming social care crisis, Richard Curtis’ festive romcom is a counterfactual vision of ’00s Britain. Nathalie Olah investigates.
Audio
44. How to Deal With People Who Can’t Deal With You
Moya and Ash get a few things off their chest in a Christmas episode recorded together in London.
Die Hard and the Fate of American Empire
What can Bruce Willis’ shoeless cowboy cop tell us about American corporate power? James Butler explores a Christmas favourite.
43: How Far Would You Go to Be Yourself? W/ Amrou Al-Kadhi
Moya and Ash talk to Amrou Al-Kadhi about their debut film, Layla, and the pursuit of self-expression.
We Need a New Wikileaks
Richard Hames Meets Stefania Maurizi
Who will take up the mantle for the age of livestreamed genocide?
42: Why Won’t They Just Break Up?
Ash Sarkar and Moya Lothian-McLean
Moya has a theory for Ash about couples who will do anything except pull the plug. Plus, advice for a special one dealing with guilt.
Trip 48: Political Commitment
Nadia Idle, Keir Milburn & Jeremy Gilbert
The ACFM gang ask what it means to dedicate yourself to a cause, with ideas from Jodi Dean and Leonard Cohen.
The New Scramble for Africa in the Vacuum of Empire
Richard Hames meets James Pogue
Guns for hire in the neocolonial hinterlands.
41: When Do Good Habits Become Dark Obsessions?
Moya Lothian McLean and Ash Sarkar
Moya and Ash have a frank discussion about open relationships and disordered eating. Plus, advice on cross-racial dating.
Protect or Punish? The Stakes of Sex Worker Activism
Eleanor Penny Meets Laura Watson
Should sex work be legalised? Or, instead, decriminalised? For the women involved, the difference is huge.
40: Do Aesthetic Trends Offer Clues to Political Shifts?
Moya Lothian-McLean and Ash Sarkar
Moya has a big theory for Ash that prompts a debate over the purpose of the podcast. Plus, a bundle of your Missed Connections.
The New Space Race Is an Arms Race
Eleanor Penny Meets Daniel Deudney
How worried should we be about the ever-growing arsenals of space weapons?
39: I’m in Big Trouble! Your Dilemmas Answered
Ash and Moya tackle your dilemmas, including a special one who wants to stop mothering her friends and a burned-out student struggling to get back on track.
Trip 47: Disruption
Nadia Idle, Keir Milburn and Jeremy Gilbert
Why are so many people so angry at Just Stop Oil? The ACFM gang explore the political uses and abuses of disruption.
How MAGA Went Mainstream
Richard Hames Meets Joshua Citarella
In 2024, both Trump and Kamala Harris adopted online meme culture as their native tongue – unthinkable just a decade ago. How does the left gain power in a political scene turned to vapour?
38: Why Is Andrew Tate’s Manosphere so Seductive? W/ Matt Shea and Jamie Tahsin
Moya Lothian McLean and Ash Sarkar meet Matt Shea and Jamie Tahsin
The authors of Clown World explain why manosphere influencer Andrew Tate has such a powerful grip on his followers.
What’s Next for AI Now It’s Ingested the Entire Internet?
Richard Hames meets Marek Poliks
From climate politics to creating art, there’s still much to be decided about the future that AI portends, says Disintegrator co-host Marek Poliks.
37: Do You Believe in Ghosts?
Moya and Ash tackle a mystery question about the spirit realm and help a listener whose friend is a police officer.
Moya and Ash tackle a mystery question about the spirit realm and help a listener whose friend is a police officer.