John Anderson: Conversations

• Why Your Way Of Life Is Collapsing: Green Paganism & The Depopulation Bomb | Philip Pilkington

  John speaks with economist Philip Pilkington to explore the unraveling of global liberalism, tracing its roots from British imperialism to America’s post-World War II dominance. Pilkington argues that economic liberalisation failed to universalise liberal values, as nations like China and India embrace markets while rejecting cultural liberalism. A multipolar world emerges, where non-liberal powers redefine global influence. Family breakdown and demographic decline threaten Western prosperity, with collapsing birth rates and rising welfare costs signalling societal decay. Radical green ideologies, rooted in neo-paganism, prioritise nature over human welfare, risking a return to impoverishment. Pilkington envisions a post-liberal West reviving Christian values to restore stable families and economic vitality.Philip Pilkington is a macroeconomist and investment professional. He is the author of The Reformation in Economics and the soon to be released The Collapse Of Global Liberalism. He also co-hosts the popular geopolitics podcast Multipolarity.

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• Trump’s New World Order: Tariffs, China and Nationalism | Walter Russell Mead

  Join John Anderson as he speaks with Walter Russell Mead, distinguished historian and foreign policy expert, recorded on April 8, 2025. As President Trump escalates his tariff war—threatening a 50% hike on China—Mead unravels the strategy behind this divisive move. Their dialogue spans the potential consolidation of American authority, the transformation of global trade, and the erosion of the post-World War II framework.Mead delivers a detailed geopolitical analysis, illuminating Trump’s objectives, Australia’s strategic position in a volatile Indo-Pacific, and the implications of China’s expanding naval presence. The discussion extends to Mead’s work, The Arc of a Covenant, which traces the deep U.S.-Israel connection amid evolving global currents. Offering perspectives on sovereignty, economic upheaval, and America’s role in world leadership, this episode provides a vital lens on the forces redefining our era.Walter Russell Mead is the Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship at Hudson Institute, the Global View Columnist at The Wall Street Journal, and the James Clarke Chace Professor of Foreign Affairs and Humanities at Bard College in New York. He is also a member of Aspen Institute Italy and board member of Aspenia.Before joining Hudson, Mr. Mead was a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations as the Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy. He has authored numerous books, including the widely-recognized Special Providence: American Foreign Policy and How It Changed the World (Alfred A. Knopf, 2004). His latest book is entitled The Arc of A Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Future of the Jewish People.

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• Can Islam Co-Exist? | Dr. Mark Durie and Dr. Richard Shumack

  John speaks with Islam scholars Dr. Mark Durie and Dr. Richard Shumack to explore the complex relationship between Islam and Western culture, drawing a contrast between Muhammad’s leadership, shaped by military endeavors, and Jesus’s Gospel of peace. They discuss how Islam’s foundational texts—the Quran and Hadiths—emphasise submission and sacred struggle, which stands in tension with Western values like freedom and the rule of law. A lack of theological literacy in the West obscures the roots of current challenges, including Hamas’ extremism and rising anti-Semitism. The dialogue examines broader differences, contrasting Islam’s historical pursuit of authority with the West’s vitality, rooted in principles of love and rational inquiry. Dr. Durie and Dr. Shumack observe that Islam's narratives of victimhood and a rejection of modernity hinders progress, while Christianity’s call to "love your enemies" fosters resilience and growth.Dr Mark Durie is a pastor and academic. He writes and speaks on a wide range of topics which include the connection between faith and culture, freedom of religion, the persecution of religious minorities, and the origin and history of Islam. He is the author of Double Minded and The Third Choice.Dr Richard Shumack is a philosopher of religion specialising in Muslim and Christian belief. He is the author of Jesus Through Muslim Eyes and Witnessing to Western Muslims.

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• Australia Isn’t Ready For War | Michael Pezzullo

  John speaks with Mike Pezzullo, former Secretary of Australia’s Home Affairs Department (2017-2023), about the nation’s historical resilience and current security challenges. They explore how Australia’s early naval power deterred threats like German warships in WWI, yet today, the country faces a "real and present danger" from China’s naval deployments, such as the recent task group in the Tasman Sea. Pezzullo warns that Australia’s strategic sensibility has declined, leaving it vulnerable despite warnings from leaders like former Prime Minister Rudd in 2009.The conversation shifts to actionable solutions, emphasising the need for leadership to prioritise defence over social spending. Pezzullo suggests doubling maritime surveillance, investing in autonomous underwater drones, and fostering regional alliances to counter coercion without forcing nations to choose between the U.S. and China. He stresses that with political will, Australia can secure its freedom, drawing on past successes like economic reforms and border protection under leaders like former Prime Ministers Howard and Abbott.Michael Pezzullo is a former Australian public servant who served as Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs from 2017 until 2023. He was previously Secretary of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, and Deputy Secretary of the Department of Defence. Michael has a BA (Hons) in History from Sydney University.

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• Konstantin Kisin | The Western Reset: Immigration, Energy, and Cultural Confidence

  Konstantin Kisin joins John in the midst of Britain’s discontent, six months into the Labour government's reign. They paint a nation adrift—stagnant in economy and spirit—where illegal immigration surges, cultural pride wanes, and policies like VAT on school fees sting the middle class. Against this backdrop, they trace a deeper malaise spanning decades, unshackled from any single party, as Britain grapples with its identity and a youth reluctant to defend it.They examine America's resurgence under Trump, which is poised to outpace a risk-averse Europe tethered to Net Zero optimism and bloated bureaucracies. Migration challenges, the hunger for steadfast leaders, and a gentle call for rekindled Western pride all feature as they reflect on whether a better cultural story will prevail. 

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