x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Planet Normal

The podcast that speaks your language. News and views from beyond the bubble with Telegraph columnists, Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan, every Thursday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

society & culture news commentary

All Episodes

1:10:36

The Rise and Rise of the Reform Polls

Planet Normal ·

2025/02/06

Is the country falling apart? It’s starting to feel like it this week on the rocket as your co-pilots lament the latest shortcomings from the Labour Party, questions over lockdown rule breaks, Trump’s tariff wars and the return of the dreaded ‘Brexit’ talk…What do your co-pilots make of Reform leader Nigel Farage’s rising popularity?Resident rocket economist Liam also gives his take on President Trump’s recent tariff turbulence.Beaming into the rocket this week is Baroness Tina Stowell who explains

en

1:01:17

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen on Reform and the...

Planet Normal ·

2025/01/30

Co-pilot Halligan is joined by the highly qualified temporary co-pilot Tim Stanley whilst co-pilot Pearson is away from the rocket.Tim gives his take on the flurry of activity during Trump's first days in office and why he is frustrated with Keir Starmer's ‘outdated’ ideas.Strapping into the rocket for a return mission this week is Mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, who beams in to give his verdict on the Labour Party and Reform, and why the Conservatives are the future of the Country.Also Liam

en

1:06:52

Labour’s Marxist attack on education

Planet Normal ·

2025/01/23

It’s the second coming of the Donald as President Trump is inaugurated to the Oval Office for his second term, but what do your co-pilots make of the political antics across the pond?Closer to home, co-pilot Pearson delivers her thoughts from this week’s trial of the Southport killings, which she believes demonstrates a ‘mass coverup’ by the government.Joining your co-pilots this week is 'Britain's strictest' Headteacher, of Michaela Community School, Katherine Birbalsingh who explains the reasons

en

1:47:10

Is the UK's grooming gang shame just the tip of...

Planet Normal ·

2025/01/16

Your co-pilots have blasted off a whopper of a rocket this week so strap in.It’s Labour vs lettuce this week as the scrutiny of Chancellor Rachel Reeves continues to the rising drumbeat of calls for her to go. And with a resignation and an upcoming inauguration, there’s no shortage of melodrama in orbit this week.It will come as no surprise that the residents of the rocket are less than impressed with ‘Rachel from accounts’; is she on borrowed time and will there be an emergency budget in March

en

1:25:04

Liz Truss Threatens Starmer with Legal Action

Planet Normal ·

2025/01/09

It’s a new year and the rocket returns with a blast to take on tax rises, economy worries and a grooming scandal, but what do your co-pilots make of 2025’s headlines so far?Liam questions why Labour won’t launch a national inquiry into the grooming gangs, whilst Allison thinks the country’s leading party are too hung up with promoting diversity as a strength to investigate any wrongdoing.Strapping into the rocket for the first voyage of the year is Economist Andrew Lilico who explains exactly why he

en

1:30:15

Christmas Special 2024 P2

Planet Normal ·

2025/01/02

In this, the second of a two part series, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dig into the data files for some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of right thinking, from 2024.There’s been no shortage of madness on the rocket over the past few months, the peak of which was definitely when co-pilot Pearson spearheaded a free speech campaign in wake of a shocking visit to her home on the morning of Remembrance Sunday by Essex police.There’s also been an abundance of politicians that have graced

en

45:12

Christmas Special 2024 P1

Planet Normal ·

2024/12/26

In this, the first of a two part series, co-pilots Pearson and Halligan dig into the data files for some of their most explosive voyages on the rocket of right thinking, from 2024.There’s been no shortage of madness on the rocket over the past few months, the peak of which was definitely when co-pilot Pearson spearheaded a free speech campaign in wake of a shocking visit to her home on the morning of Remembrance Sunday by Essex police.There’s also been an abundance of politicians that have graced

en

1:24:21

No brainer with ‘Angela Raynor’

Planet Normal ·

2024/12/19

Christmas is coming but the madness on the rocket of right thinking shows no signs of slowing down. It’s time to strap in for the last voyage of 2024.In light of the latest inflation figures Liam gives his review of Labour's economic strategy which he feels has ‘talked down’ the economy.And co-pilot Pearson delivers some strong opinions on the latest approach to governing non crime hate incidents in this country.On this very special festive addition of Planet Normal the rocket is joined by none

en

1:05:01

Cultural Sensitivities Can Cost Lives

Planet Normal ·

2024/12/12

A sombre journey to Planet Normal today, as Allison and Liam learn that the father of Sara Sharif has been found guilty of the 10-year-old’s murder just before recording. Co-pilot Pearson decries that a little girl could have been a victim to such violence in modern Britain, and what it says about integration in our country.Plus they discuss the events of Syria, and co-pilot Halligan notes that the 'tectonic plates of Western politics is shifting' as mainstream European politicians use events as a

en

1:12:00

Labour Cleared For Re-Launch

Planet Normal ·

2024/12/05

As Prime Minister Keir Starmer celebrates a turbulent 5 months in office by eventually turning on the Downing Street Christmas lights, co-Pilot Pearson celebrates reaching new records in her weight-loss journey. But elsewhere there is less reason to be joyous with the oncoming news woes.Both your co-pilots question the need for the PM to ‘re-launch’ his government, whilst the rocket’s resident economist Halligan delivers some stark truths about the growth of the UK economy.Strapping into the rocket

en

1:16:35

Fixing the foundations

Planet Normal ·

2024/11/28

The campaign for free speech on the rocket has been a runaway success with no signs of slowing down.This week your co-pilots tackle a bulging mail bag with a Planet Normal Email special reading out some of your reactions to Allison’s victory for free speech.They also deliver their verdict on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s latest economic moves and the Labour party's most recent promises to ‘fix the foundations’.Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |Read more from Liam

en

1:12:06

A helluva week on the rocket

Planet Normal ·

2024/11/21

It’s been one helluva week on the rocket for co-pilot Pearson, as she describes the ‘news tsunami’ that has crashed through her life.Your co-pilots talk through the reaction to Allison’s story and discuss the principle of free speech in this country.Also boarding the rocket to discuss his new book, ‘What went Wrong with Capitalism’, is author Dr Ruchir Sharma who lays out his solution to the relationship between state support and free markets.And there is no shortage of post this week as your

en

1:16:37

You have the freedom to be silenced

Planet Normal ·

2024/11/13

In wake of co-pilot Pearson’s shock visit from the police on Remembrance Sunday, the rocket reflects on the principle of free speech in our country. Allison explains what happens when the journalist becomes the story…Elsewhere Liam gives his take on why the Harris campaign failed to reach many voters in the US election after his trip across the pond last week.Also Joining your co-pilots on the rocket this week to discuss her arrest following a tweet about the Southport killings, is Bernadette

en

56:42

US Election 2024

Planet Normal ·

2024/11/07

Co-pilot Pearson is off on a special mission this week so Liam is joined in the cockpit by resident part time co-pilot, Tim Stanley.As the news breaks of Donald Trump’s victory in the US Liam and Tim dissect the news tsunami from across the pond.As the rest of the world comes to terms with what just happened, Tim describes why we shouldn’t be that surprised at the result, and Liam gives his economic prognosis.Whilst back on UK soil, the Tory party welcomes a new leader but what do your co-pilots

en

1:00:46

Labour’s big budget

Planet Normal ·

2024/10/31

As Labour unveils their first budget in 14 years, the rocket beams in for a bumper Budget special with not one but two stowaways! But what do the rocket’s incumbents make of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s first big fiscal challenge.Former Prime Minister Liz Truss explains why she thinks Chancellor Rachel Reeves might have ‘turbo charged taxes’ and could be about to ‘crash the car into the wall’.Chief Economist at Net Wealth and former Chief Economic Advisor to Boris, Johnson Dr Gerard Lyons, outlines

en

1:22:05

Planet Normal Live Special at the Battle of Ideas

Planet Normal ·

2024/10/23

This episode was recorded live at the Battle of Ideas Festival in London on 20th October 2024In this very special episode of Planet Normal, the rocket beams in live from the Battle of Ideas Festival featuring not one, but two very special stowaways..Sociologist and social commentator, Professor Frank Furedi shares his thoughts on how we can tackle what he calls the ‘madness’ of political correctness.Writer and comedian, Andrew Doyle also explains why we need to prioritise the value of free speech in

en

57:06

Rachel and the blackhole

Planet Normal ·

2024/10/16

The countdown to Labour's first Budget is on, but what do your co-pilots make of the new Chancellor's plans? Brace yourselves it's another news Tsunami…Liam isn’t convinced Labour’s plan for growth will strengthen up the public finances and believes a more prudent approach to spending is needed.Allison agrees and is concerned if they increase National Insurance on employers it will lead to less investment and fewer jobs.Joining your co-pilots for this week’s voyage is former Downing Street advisor

en

1:01:07

The two Tory horse race

Planet Normal ·

2024/10/09

Fresh from a shock elimination in the Tory leadership race, your co-pilots deliver their verdict on the latest results from the now two horse race. And did co-pilot Pearson really influence the result?One year on from the shocking 7th October attack in Israel, the rocket reflects on Allison’s recent dispatch to Israel and welcomes Brendan O’Neill into the cockpit. Brendan’s new book ‘After the Pogrom: 7 October, Israel and the Crisis of Civilisation’ describes how he believes the West failed in

en

1:07:59

Robert Jenrick on his Tory leadership bid

Planet Normal ·

2024/10/02

The rocket beams in live from the Tory Party Conference in Birmingham this week and there’s no shortage of melodrama to dissect as the Party gears up to elect its new leader.Fastening their seat belt alongside your co-pilots this week is leadership contender and previous stowaway, Robert Jenrick MP for Newark,who shares his hopes for the party should he win the contest.Liam gives the rocket the inside scoop from the conference as the race for Leader of the Opposition aka the conservative ‘beauty

en

1:03:08

Conference season chaos

Planet Normal ·

2024/09/25

**Some of Alison's reporting contains descriptions you may find distressingWith Conference season in full swing, what do your co-pilots make of the PM’s latest speech slip up at the Party’s Conference?Liam thinks Starmer’s speech failed to set the room alight as much as previous Labour PM Tony Blair would have done.And Allison shares some moving observations from her recent trip to Israel.Also strapping into the cockpit this week is Chairman of Reform UK, Zia Yusuf, who explains the Party’s plans to

en

278 results

Similar Podcasts

Voices of Life

APG Mannheim

Promo Estereo Podcast

Promo Estereo

Talking Timelines Podcast

Talkingtimelines

גיקונומי

ראם שרמן ודורון ניר

Drømmefanger

Drømmefanger