The John Batchelor Show

37:16

S8 Ep1222: Anne Stevenson-Yang, author of Wild Ride:...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/09

Anne Stevenson-Yang, author of Wild Ride: A Short History of the Opening and Closing of the Chinese Economy, provides an account of China's economic arc over five decades. The narrative begins in the mid-1980s, transitioning from a Maoist culture characterized by extreme poverty to a burgeoning export-led economy envisioned by Deng Xiaoping. This "miracle" was fueled by "red capitalism," where the children of political elites—the princelings—amassed massive wealth by controlling key economic nodes

en

37:02

S8 Ep1216: William Taubman, Part Two: Taubman...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/09

William Taubman, Part Two: Taubman examines McNamara's "double life" during the Vietnam War under Lyndon Johnson. While acting as the public architect of escalation, including his role in securing the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution through omitted facts, McNamara privately harbored deep doubts. By 1966, he secretly confessed to aides a desperate desire to bring troops home. His personal life was marked by a close, "opaque" friendship with Jackie Kennedy, who repeatedly begged him to "end the

en

37:28

S8 Ep1215: William Taubman, author of McNamara at...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/09

William Taubman, author of McNamara at War: A New History, Part One: Taubman discusses Robert McNamara's early career and rise to power, beginning with his role as a World War II statistician on Guam. McNamara advised General Curtis LeMay on low-altitude bombing tactics that led to the devastating Tokyo firebombing, a success he later considered a moral "stain." Taubman explores his psychological need to serve "strong men," a trait tracing back to his childhood with a cold father and a mother who

en

34:37

S8 Ep1222: Jeremy Zakis, Part Two: Zakis joins John...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/09

Jeremy Zakis, Part Two: Zakis joins John Batchelor to explore accounts of animal mischief and human deception. Two beagle puppies, Jada and Scooter, consumed 2.4 pounds of gummy snakes after breaking into a pantry in Queensland; while Scooter was the primary culprit and required veterinary intervention, both survived. Other dogs, such as spaniels Charlie and Sailor, have learned to intercept Amazon and UPS delivery packages to steal snack cookies and cooked knuckles, acting like "jewel thieves,"

en

11:21

S8 Ep1221: Jeremy Zakis, Part One: Zakis discusses...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/09

Jeremy Zakis, Part One: Zakis discusses the looming threat of a Super El Niño, characterized by sea surface temperatures in the Eastern Pacific rising 2.5°C above normal, resulting in extreme atmospheric turmoil and more severe weather patterns than a standard El Niño. Meteorologists in Australia are warning that this event may be the strongest in 500 to 1,000 years, potentially causing upwards of $600 billion in damage worldwide. Australians are being urged to prepare much earlier than usual—by

en

37:25

S8 Ep1221: **Mary Roach**, author of *Replaceable...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/09

Mary Roach, author of Replaceable You, explores the past, present, and future of reconstructing or replacing human anatomy. Roach details the treatment of severe third-degree burns using allografts from cadavers or unconventional biological dressings like Icelandic cod skin. Advancements in 3D-printing allow researchers to use "ink" made of cells and collagen to create complex structures like heart ventricles and valves. Furthermore, the book examines xenotransplantation, which involves using

en

38:11

S8 Ep1221: Sebastian Smee, Part Two: The narrative...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/09

Sebastian Smee, Part Two: The narrative follows the 1871 Paris Commune and "Bloody Week," where civil war left the city in ruins. Amidst this trauma, Berthe Morisot resolved to become a professional artist, developing a radical style focused on domesticity and the "fugitive effects" of light. Smee details the technical shift to "en plein air" painting, prioritizing direct observation over traditional studio structure. The personal saga concludes with Morisot's marriage to Manet's brother and her

en

37:27

S8 Ep1221: Sebastian Smee, author of Paris in Ruins:...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/09

Sebastian Smee, author of Paris in Ruins: Love, War, and the Birth of Impressionism, Part One: In 1874, artists staged a revolutionary independent exhibition in Paris, marking the birth of Impressionism. Smee explores how painters like Monet and Morisot revolted against the rigid Salon hierarchy, seeking to capture contemporary life and light rather than mythology. The movement's name originated from a critic's insult regarding Monet's Impression, Sunrise. Central to the narrative is Édouard Manet,

en

9:13

S8 Ep1220: SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/08

SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 8-7-2026.Kevin Frazier addresses the growing misinformation surrounding data centers, particularly in rural America where they are often viewed as threats to water and power. He argues that these facilities provide massive tax base contributions and high-paying construction jobs, yet are often rejected by the communities that need them most. Frazier highlights New York's moratorium on large data centers as a counterproductive move that pushes infrastructure to less

en

19:40

S8 Ep1219: Kevin Frazier addresses the growing...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/08

Kevin Frazier addresses the growing misinformation surrounding data centers, particularly in rural America where they are often viewed as threats to water and power. He argues that these facilities provide massive tax base contributions and high-paying construction jobs, yet are often rejected by the communities that need them most. Frazier highlights New York's moratorium on large data centers as a counterproductive move that pushes infrastructure to less suitable locations. He proposes a "cap and

en

17:50

S8 Ep1218: Henry Sokolski discusses the stalled...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/08

Henry Sokolski discusses the stalled nuclear cooperative agreement between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, noting that the lack of enrichment restrictions has left the deal in limbo. He explains that a new condominium between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan is designed to counter Iran and Israel, making the Abraham Accords seem "delusional." Sokolski also reflects on the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, noting that Japan's new leadership is considering a review of its non-nuclear principles

en

37:30

S8 Ep1218: Harry Sidebottom explores the world of...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/08

Harry Sidebottom explores the world of Roman gladiators, describing the Colosseum as a building that reinforced social hierarchy through strictly assigned seating. The day's events began with a stylized procession representing Roman dominance over nature and foreign lands. Sidebottom highlights Emperor Commodus, who was genuinely obsessed with fighting in the arena, a choice that earned him animosity from the Senate. The schedule included beast hunts in the morning and gruesome midday executions of

en

19:40

S8 Ep1217: Bob Zimmerman highlights several...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/08

Bob Zimmerman highlights several developments in space, starting with the startup Catalyst's daring mission to rescue the decaying Swift space telescope. Despite thruster failures, engineers are attempting to use the remaining hardware to move the telescope's orbit. Zimmerman also discusses a Falcon 9 upper stage that impacted the moon, providing valuable spectroscopic data. Good news arrives from Voyager 2, which underwent a "big bang" power reconfiguration to extend its life to at least 2027. On

en

9:00

S8 Ep1217: Lorenzo Fiori guides listeners through the...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/08

Lorenzo Fiori guides listeners through the Piedmont region, focusing on Vercelli and Vigevano, areas famous for rice production but currently suffering from a severe drought. He reports that a massive "heat dome" sitting over Europe has pushed temperatures to 48°C in Naples, threatening harvests and leading to water shortages in many northern Italianvillages. Despite these challenges, Fiori highlights the historical beauty of Vercelli's cathedral and Vigevano's Renaissance architecture, including

en

8:49

S8 Ep1216: Jim McTague analyzes the July jobs report,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/08

Jim McTague analyzes the July jobs report, which unexpectedly showed a loss of 23,000 jobs, signaling a cutback in spending by those "with little." He describes a "K-shaped economy" where the wealthy continue to spend while others struggle with high gas prices and inflation. In Lancaster County, the economy remains uneven; while tourism and manufacturing are strong, hiring for non-specialists is weak. The property market is particularly discouraging for buyers, with low inventory driving prices

en

19:40

S8 Ep1216: Richard Epstein critiques the contempt of...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/08

Richard Epstein critiques the contempt of Congress referral against Dr. Anthony Fauci, arguing Fauci made "egregious mistakes" regarding pandemic regulations like masking and social distancing. Epstein contends Fauci was a "lousy scientist" who suppressed alternative treatments like hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin. He also questions the validity of a "preemptive pardon" issued by President Biden, suggesting it may relate to illegal virus shipments to the Wuhanlaboratory. Moving to politics,

en

17:50

S8 Ep1215: Jeff Bliss begins with the Super El Niño...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/08

Jeff Bliss begins with the Super El Niño building in the Pacific, reaching record-high temperatures that promise severe drought and wildfires for California, a state currently unprepared for these atmospheric changes. In Seattle, Mayor Wilson recently fired the police chief following a shooting catastrophe, revealing the chief lived in Chicago and was absent during major incidents. The segment explores Seattle's history of "police-free" zones and the Democratic Socialists of America's platform,

en

8:48

S8 Ep1190: Gaius and Germanicus: Gaius opens by...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/03

Gaius and Germanicus: Gaius opens by detailing the "emperor's" use of artificial intelligence to project heroic imagery—such as appearing as George Washington or a revolutionary leader—despite polling lower than Richard Nixon during his resignation. Germanicus counters that the United States has evolved into a "mature emperor system" that lacks the "Augustan model" of restraint. He argues that unlike Rome, which rewarded altruism and excised narcissists like Nero, the American system now elevates

en

15:14

S8 Ep1190: Gaius and Germanicus: Gaius invokes the...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/03

Gaius and Germanicus: Gaius invokes the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, highlighting how the Kennedy brothers used caution and trusted advisors to avoid nuclear war. He asks how a modern crisis can be resolved when the "emperor's" word is no longer trusted. Germanicus responds that while the 1960s were characterized by caution, the post-Cold WarU.S. became "vain glorious," viewing itself as "gods of war." He paradoxically argues that Trump's "magnificent immobility" and incompetence may be the only thing

en

22:21

S8 Ep1190: In The Londinium Chronicles, Gaius (John...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2026/08/03

In The Londinium Chronicles, Gaius (John Batchelor) and Germanicus (Michael Vlahos) explore the intersections of Roman history and modern geopolitics.Gaius and Germanicus: Gaius opens by detailing the "emperor's" use of artificial intelligence to project heroic imagery—such as appearing as George Washington or a revolutionary leader—despite polling lower than Richard Nixon during his resignation. Germanicus counters that the United States has evolved into a "mature emperor system" that lacks the

en

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

BBC News

BBC

Journal Monde

RFI

Journal Afrique

RFI

NHKラジオニュース

NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)

برامج

مونت كارلو الدولية / MCD