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

The John Batchelor Show

The John Batchelor Show is a hard news-analysis radio program on current events, world history, global politics and natural sciences. Based in New York City for two decades, the show has travelled widely to report, from the Middle East to the South Caucasus to the Arabian Peninsula and East Asia.

news books

All Episodes

11:18

Londinium Chronicles Part 3 Audio Sept 28.mp3...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

Londinium Chronicles Part 3 Audio Sept 28.mp3 HEADLINE: How to Move the Billionaires: War, Leveling, and the Failure of Reform SPEAKERS: Germanicus and Gaius200 WORD SUMMARY: The speakers address the internal crisis within "Fortress America": the modern-day Palatine Hill, represented by the billionaires who are untouchable and above the law. Gaius cites economist Thomas Piketty, highlighting the "gigantic" wealth amassed by the super-rich. Germanicus asserts that the only guaranteed pathway to

en-us

18:12

Londinium Chronicles Part 2 Sept 28.mp3 HEADLINE: The...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

Londinium Chronicles Part 2 Sept 28.mp3 HEADLINE: The Verres Moment: Indictment, Corruption, and the Threatened Legitimacy of the American Vote SPEAKERS: Gaius and Germanicus 200 WORD SUMMARY: Gaiusand Germanicus draw parallels between the collapse of the Roman Republic—where the people lost confidence in the Senate—and modern America. They recount the trial of Verres, the notoriously corrupt governor of Sicily in 70 B.C.E., whom Cicero prosecuted to expose corruption not just of Verres, but of the

en-us

19:24

Londinium Chronicles Part 1 Sept 28.mp3 HEADLINE:...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

Londinium Chronicles Part 1 Sept 28.mp3 HEADLINE: Reorganizing the Legions: Fortress America, the Corrupt Senate, and the Stranglehold of the Military-Industrial Complex SPEAKERS: Gaius Londinium and Germanicus 200 WORD SUMMARY: The Friends of History Debating Society opens by discussing the panicking temperament of European leadership due to Russian provocations (drones, jamming) and Washington's silence on requests for Tomahawks for Kyiv. They contrast the effective Roman legions—combat units and

en-us

7:17

HEADLINE: Runestones, Artifacts, and Modern...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

HEADLINE: Runestones, Artifacts, and Modern Misappropriation BOOK TITLE: American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America AUTHOR: Martyn Whittock 100 WORD SUMMARY: Following the translation of the sagas, runestones (e.g., Kensington in Minnesota) began appearing, primarily after 1865. These are almost certainly fakes created by newly arrived Scandinavian immigrants seeking to claim "prior title" to the land by asserting "Vikings were here first." The only artifact

en-us

13:16

HEADLINE: L'Anse aux Meadows, Conflict, and Freydís...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

HEADLINE: L'Anse aux Meadows, Conflict, and Freydís BOOK TITLE: American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America AUTHOR: Martyn Whittock 100 WORD SUMMARY: The site of L'Anse aux Meadows in northern Newfoundland provides definitive archaeological proof of Norse presence in North America, with dendrochronological research confirming wood was cut in 1021. This site, however, was a short-lived, primarily male base camp for logistical support and exploration, not

en-us

7:03

HEADLINE: Erikson, Sagas, and Vinland Location BOOK...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

HEADLINE: Erikson, Sagas, and Vinland Location BOOK TITLE: American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America AUTHOR: Martyn Whittock 100 WORD SUMMARY: The source focuses on the westward journey from Greenland, established by Erik the Red, to lands sighted by storm-driven sailors. His son, Leif Erikson, led expeditions around 1000 AD to Helluland (Baffin Island) and Markland (Labrador). This history is recorded in the Saga of Erik the Red (13th century) and the Saga

en-us

10:38

HEADLINE: Defining Vikings and Early Expansion BOOK...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

HEADLINE: Defining Vikings and Early Expansion BOOK TITLE: American Vikings: How the Norse Sailed into the Lands and Imaginations of America AUTHOR: Martyn Whittock 100 WORD SUMMARY: The book discusses the Norse expansion ("Viking" being an activity, not a societal label) that began sweeping across Europe and the British Isles in the late 8th century. Key drivers of this extraordinary diaspora included population growth, pushback against the Christian Frankish Empire, and, most notably, the

en-us

8:50

The final ending discussed is the slow demise of the...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

The final ending discussed is the slow demise of the Norsesettlement in Greenland, settled by Erik the Red around 985 AD. Herjolfsnes, one of the last settled places, provides poignant evidence from its graveyard. Due to permafrost, the coarse, mended woolen clothes (vaðmál) of the last generations, dating up to the early 15th century, were preserved. These garments reveal the increasing isolation and poverty of the inhabitants as climate conditions worsened. The ultimate mystery remains what

en-us

10:50

The segment explores different endpoints of the...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

The segment explores different endpoints of the Viking Age. 1066 AD is often cited, but this is Anglocentric. That year saw Harald Hardrada, King of Norway (whose claim descended from Cnut's North Sea Empire), killed by Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Normans (Northmen) like William were culturally assimilated Vikings, meaning Vikings were effectively fighting Vikings. A later ending point is the 1263 AD Battle of Largs, a series of skirmishes between King Hákon of Norway and King

en-us

9:13

Barraclough describes the lava cave Surtshellir in...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

Barraclough describes the lava cave Surtshellir in Iceland, named after the fire giant Surtr, where new archaeological evidence has been found. Deep within the cave, a man-made wall and a stone outline shaped like a boat were discovered. Inside the boat, offerings associated with fire and burning (ornaments, jasper, burnt bones) were left, suggesting efforts to placate the fire being dwelling further inside the lava field, possibly after the major volcanic eruption around 900 AD. After Iceland

en-us

8:35

The discussion focuses on Norse mythology, noting...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

The discussion focuses on Norse mythology, noting that main written sources, such as Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, were recorded in 13th-century Iceland, post-conversion to Christianity, necessitating caution in interpretation. The creation story involves the eternal void (Ginnungagap) meeting the fire world (Muspelheim) and the ice world (Niflheim), from which the primordial ice giant Ymir formed. The end of the world is Ragnarök, where the fire giant Surtr destroys the world

en-us

7:55

Barraclough interprets objects like reliquaries,...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

Barraclough interprets objects like reliquaries, initially used in Christian contexts to house relics. Norse raiders took these back to Norway, valuing the metal and jewels while often discarding the relics inside. These reliquaries were given as presents to women and passed down female generations, suggesting early raids were motivated by young men seeking wealth and status to attract wives and set up farmsteads. The conversation also covers pre-Christian belief systems, specifically a piece of

en-us

11:45

The conversation continues on the eastern Viking...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

The conversation continues on the eastern Viking diaspora, noting that the power base of the Rus shifted from Novgorod to Kyiv, forming Kievan Rus. Although early rulers had Norsedescent, they assimilated culturally, blending Scandinavian and Slavic elements; Norse names like Ingvar and Helgabecame Igor and Olga. History is flexible, and competing groups interpret this mixed heritage. A major mystery discussed is the Salme ship burials in Estonia (Saaremaa island), dating around 750 AD, prior to

en-us

6:45

This segment focuses on Vikings as conquerors, noting...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

This segment focuses on Vikings as conquerors, noting successful raids like the one on Paris, which yielded 7,000 pounds of gold. Around 865 AD, the Great Heathen Army arrived in England, conquering East Anglia, Northumbria, and Mercia. The resulting stalemate with King Alfred led to the establishment of the Danelaw around 878–880 AD, giving Norse people political and legal control over a vast area of England. Norse settlement is evidenced by Old Norse influences in place names within the Danelaw

en-us

11:04

BARRACLOUGH1.mp3 HEADLINE: CBS Eye on the World with...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/29

CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor AUTHOR NAME: Eleanor Barraclough BOOK TITLE: Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age GUEST NAME: Eleanor Barraclough 100 WORD SUMMARY: The segment introduces Eleanor Barraclough'Es book, Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age, which draws history from everyday objects. The title's source, "embers of the hands," is an Old Norse kenning for gold, repurposed here to refer to precious, personal artifacts. Barraclough shares a

en-us

2:14

Preview: The origins of the UK involve many cultural...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/28

Preview: The origins of the UK involve many cultural incomers, including the earlier Anglo-Saxons and Romans. The Viking "great heathen army" (c. 865), referred to in Old Englishas micel here, should be understood as smaller, mobile war bands with various leaders. This structure allowed the Norseinvaders to utilize waterways, split their forces, and maintain the element of surprise, complicating defensive predictions. Retry

en-us

3:16

Preview: Historian Eleanor Barraclough discusses a...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/28

Preview: Historian Eleanor Barraclough discusses a story preserved in a later saga (13th/14th century) about two men sheltering in an Icelandic cave after conversion. They encounter a mountain giant whose two glowing eyes resemble full moons. The giant recites a poem of 12 verses containing volcanic imagery ("dark flames drive the spit," "roaring of the spark storm"), describing the driving underground of the giants ("clay folk") as their world ends.

en-us

3:53

Preview: The Viking Age (750-1100 AD) saw Norse...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/28

Preview: The Viking Age (750-1100 AD) saw Norse raiders transform into farmers. The Great Heathen Army arrived around 865 as mobile war bands. King Alfred the Great eventually achieved a stalemate with the Norse leader Guthrum. This led to an astonishing agreement (c. 878-880) establishing the Danelaw, giving the Norse legal control over vast areas like East Anglia and Yorkshire, confirmed by a linguistic imprint.

en-us

2:14

Henry Sokolski examines the scope of the "Golden...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/26

Henry Sokolski examines the scope of the "Golden Dome" for America, questioning if it should protect space access, LEO, or cis-lunar space. The system's potential reorientation to counter Chinese and Russian offensive space threats requires discussion.1961

en-us

1:57

Lorenzo Fiori reports that Milan, the current center...

The John Batchelor Show ·

2025/09/26

Lorenzo Fiori reports that Milan, the current center of worldwide fashion, shows no recession signs. High-end spending, luxury shopping, and vibrant nightlife suggest people have money to spend. 1790 MILAN

en-us

8,555 results

Similar Podcasts

DW Noticias

DW

JIJI English News-時事通信英語ニュース-

時事通信社

Legal AF by MeidasTouch

MeidasTouch Network

Mark Levin Podcast

Cumulus Podcast Network

朝日新聞AJW 英語ニュース（The Asahi Shimbun Asia & Japan Watch）

朝日新聞ポッドキャスト