Podcast
Quillette Cetera
Hosted by Zoe Sankey · EN
Quillette's Zoe Sankey sits down each fortnight with scientists, writers, activists, and independent thinkers to interrogate the ideas shaping — and dividing — the Western world. From evolutionary psychology and gender to cancel culture, free speech, Islamism, and the collapse of progressive orthodoxies, no topic is too contentious and no question is off limits.
Guests have included policy researchers, evolutionary biologists, political dissidents, and some of the sharpest heterodox thinkers writing today.
If you're tired of being told what to think, this is the podcast for you.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The NGO Industrial Complex: Gerald Steinberg on How Human Rights Became a Racket
2w ago01:05:48Tap to summarizeNGOs have a great deal of influence over our lives. This episode uncovers the hidden power structures behind the world's most powerful non-governmental organisations — and why they deserve far more scrutiny than they get. Zoe Sankey sits down with Gerald Steinberg — founder of NGO Monitor and professor emeritus of political science at Bar-Ilan University — to discuss the evolution of NGOs from altruistic civil society groups into political powerhouses, the funding sources and transparency issues within organisations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, and how they've come to shape the UN and international policy on Israel. "Ken Roth is hugely powerful as an individual." "Their reports often lack substantive verification." Gerald pulls back the curtain on how civil society was hijacked by political and ideological agendas, case studies of NGOs with alleged ties to governments and terrorist organisations, the UN accreditation process and what it really takes to get a seat at the table, and the power dynamics inside these organisations' leadership. 00:00 Introduction to Gerald Steinberg and His Work 02:56 Understanding NGOs: Definitions and Historical Context 06:07 The Evolution and Influence of NGOs 09:06 The Political Landscape of NGOs 12:05 NGO Monitor: Purpose and Function 15:00 The Power Dynamics within NGOs 18:06 Whistleblowers and Internal Critiques 20:52 The Future of NGOs and Their Impact 31:46 The Influence of NGOs on Global Politics 35:14 The Halo Effect: Media and NGO Relationships 40:27 The Writing and Impact of NGO Reports 50:12 The Future of NGOs and the UN 57:49 Zionism: Misunderstood and Maligned Read Gerald Steinberg's full body of work at Quillette: 👉 https://quillette.com/author/gerald-steinberg/ Resources: — NGO Monitor: https://www.ngo-monitor.org — UN Watch: https://www.unwatch.org — The War of Return by Einat Wilf: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594039624?tag=quillette-20 Follow NGO Monitor: — Twitter/X: https://x.com/NGOMonitor — Website: https://www.ngo-monitor.org Subscribe to Quillette Cetera for more fearless conversations wherever you get your podcasts, and head to Quillette.com for the stories mainstream media won't touch. #NGO #HumanRights #Amnesty #UnitedNations #Israel #Quillette Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oikophobia: Why the West Hates Itself | Benedict Beckeld
2w ago01:09:28Tap to summarizeWhat does it mean for a civilisation to turn against itself? In this episode, Quillette's Zoe Sankey speaks with philosopher and author Benedict Beckeld — whose 2019 Quillette essay on oikophobia remains one of our site's most popular pieces — about the recurring historical phenomenon he has spent his career documenting: the tendency of successful Western societies to denigrate their own culture, institutions, and inheritance. Drawing on his book Oikophobia: Our Western Self-Hatred, published by Cornell University Press, Beckeld traces the pattern from ancient Athens and Imperial Rome to contemporary Europe and the Anglosphere, arguing that cultural self-repudiation is not a modern aberration but a predictable feature of prosperous, secure civilisations. The conversation ranges widely: the assimilability of Islam, the distinction between monoethnicity and monoculturalism, the demographic significance of Israel, the theological differences between the three Abrahamic religions, and the question of whether the West can recover its civilisational confidence before external pressures force the issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Hava Mendelle: From Climate Activist to Critic of Radical Left and Gaza Flotilla
Jun 901:12:09Tap to summarizeHava Mendelle defies easy categorisation. Openly gay and proudly Jewish, she is a fifteen-year Australian Army veteran, emergency department nurse, published author, and co-founder of Minority Impact — a coalition of Australian minorities united in their opposition to Islamic radicalism and far-left extremism. She writes for The Spectator Australia, The Times of Israel, and The Jewish Independent, and has been making waves on social media for her unflinching commentary on antisemitism, the activist left, and the slow erosion of Australian national identity.In this conversation with Quillette's Zoe Sankey, Hava traces a remarkable personal journey — from an orthodox Jewish childhood and boarding school in Israel, to climate activism and Marxist study groups at university, to her current role as one of Australia's most clear-eyed critics of the movements she once moved in. They discuss the red-green alliance, the activists behind the Gaza flotilla, the radicalisation of the Australian Greens, why the United Nations deserves far more scepticism than it receives, and what October 7th changed — for Hava personally, and for Jewish Australians more broadly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Australia's Broken Justice System with Andrew Bushnell
May 2201:04:35Tap to summarizeZoe Sankey speaks with Andrew Bushnell — policy researcher, criminal justice expert, and fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs — about crime, justice, and some of the most urgent and uncomfortable questions in Australian public life. They start with the alleged murder of Kumunjayi, a five-year-old Aboriginal girl killed in the Northern Territory despite six child protection notifications in the two months before her death. What follows is a frank conversation about Indigenous offending rates, a justice system that too often fails its victims, and whether Australia has the political courage to apply its laws equally to everyone. Along the way: the Voice to Parliament, the Bao Phuc Cao voyeurism case, Melbourne's graffiti-covered streets, and the gang warfare driving a billion-dollar black market in cigarettes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Does Western Civilisation Exist? James Kierstead on Ancient Greece, Christianity, and the West
May 701:15:27Tap to summarizeDoes Western civilisation actually exist — or is it just a modern political myth? In this episode of the Quillette Cetera podcast, Zoe Booth speaks with classicist James Kierstead about the origins of the West, the “Greek miracle,” Christianity, monogamy, democracy, and the cultural foundations of modern civilisation. They discuss: Whether the West is real or an invented concept Ancient Greece and the origins of egalitarianism Why monogamy shaped Western civilisation Protestant guilt and modern culture Honour cultures vs dignity cultures Christianity, Judaism, and Greco-Roman civilisation Why the Industrial Revolution happened in the West Whether Western civilisation can survive without Christianity James Kierstead holds a BA in Classics from Oxford and a PhD in Political Science from Stanford University. #WesternCivilization #AncientGreece #Christianity #History #Civilization #Quillette #Philosophy #Politics #JamesKierstead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oikophobia and the Crisis of Western Democracy with Shany Mor
Feb 2000:57:30Tap to summarizeIn this conversation, Zoe Booth and Shany Mor discuss the complex interplay between Australia's reputation in relation to Israel, the impact of anti-Israel activism, and the cultural and intellectual anxieties that contribute to anti-Semitism. They explore the role of guilt in Western society, the challenges of identity and belonging in multicultural contexts, and the evolution of political discourse. The discussion also touches on the dynamics of radicalization, the nature of prejudice, and the future of democracy, particularly in the context of Israeli society and global fertility rates. Chapters 00:00 Australia's Protests and Israel's Perception 05:47 Understanding Anti-Israel Sentiment 07:58 The Role of Intellectualism in Anti-Semitism 10:27 Cultural Anxiety and Scapegoating 12:53 Oikophobia and Western Guilt 15:35 Moral Accounting and Identity Politics 18:04 The Impact of 9/11 on Western Discourse 20:27 Feminism and Cultural Symbols 23:01 The Transformation of Western Society 25:39 Radicalization and Immigrant Perspectives 28:14 The Role of Western Elites in Anti-Semitism 30:46 Media Narratives and Perceptions of Violence 30:54 Understanding Jewish Identity and Community Challenges 33:14 The Impact of Anti-Zionism on Academia 35:22 Cultural Myths and Their Influence on Society 36:59 Exploring Fertility Rates and Societal Values 42:08 Democracy in Crisis: The Referendum on Truth 47:56 The Legacy of the Post-War Order and Its Challenges Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Inside Iran’s Deadly Protests with Shay Khatiri
Jan 2001:01:50Tap to summarizeShay Khatiri is one of the most clear-eyed analysts of Iran’s regime and its role in global geopolitics. Raised in the Islamic Republic before escaping to the U.S., he now serves as Vice President and Senior Fellow at the Yorktown Institute and writes The Russia–Iran File, a Substack dissecting the domestic and foreign policy strategies of both regimes. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, National Review, The Bulwark, Providence, and Quillette. In this episode, he joins Zoe to unpack the roots of Iran’s latest deadly protests, including the regime’s use of pellet guns and hospital raids to suppress dissent. He explains why so many Iranians are calling for foreign military intervention, what a post-regime Iran might look like, and why he believes a constitutional monarchy—led by Reza Pahlavi—offers the best hope for stability. They also discuss the role of the diaspora, the rise of underground Christianity, and why the West’s inaction may extinguish Iran’s last chance at revolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Adam Louis-Klein on Why He Founded the Movement Against Antizionism
Jan 1401:08:43Tap to summarizeIn this conversation, Zoe Booth and Adam Louis-Klein delve into the complexities of antizionism, exploring its ideological roots, the language used to propagate it, and its normalisation in contemporary society. They discuss the formation of the Movement Against Antizionism (MAAZ) and the importance of recognising antizionism as a distinct form of bigotry. The dialogue also addresses the historical context of antizionism, its evolution in academia, and the psychological warfare embedded in its rhetoric. Throughout, practical strategies are offered for countering antizionist claims—emphasising the need for clarity, courage, and a comprehensive understanding of the issue. Adam Louis-Klein is an anthropologist and PhD candidate at McGill University. His research focuses on Indigenous cosmologies in the Colombian Amazon and comparative forms of peoplehood. He is the founder of the Movement Against Antizionism (MAAZ), which challenges antizionist ideology as a distinct form of anti-Jewish hatred. His writing and advocacy explore the intersection of academic discourse, identity, and political propaganda. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Adam Louis-Klein and MAAZ 04:00 Interview begins: The Birth of MAAZ and Antizionism 09:10 Language and the Inversion of Reality 11:28 The Evolution of Antizionism 14:08 The Role of Academia in Antizionism 16:55 The Historical Context of Antizionism 19:21 Modern Antizionism and Its Global Impact 21:43 Government Responses to Antizionism 24:33 Understanding Antizionism vs. Antisemitism 27:18 The Psychological Mechanisms Behind Antizionism 29:50 The Australian Context of Antizionism 31:56 Personal Reflections on Antizionism and Academia 38:37 Indigeneity and Cultural Identity 42:22 The Complexity of Genocide Narratives 48:13 Understanding Whiteness and Cultural Concerns 52:47 Historical Atrocities and Political Violence 55:45 The Organisation of Antizionist Movements 01:04:58 The Movement Against Antizionism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Exposing the Qatar Lobby: Chama Mechtaly on Islamism, Censorship, and the West
Dec 1201:15:20Tap to summarizeChama Mechtaly is a Moroccan-American artist, activist, and policy advisor whose work sits at the intersection of cultural preservation, deradicalisation, and Middle Eastern diplomacy. Born in Casablanca in 1992 to a Muslim mother and a Jewish father of Amazigh heritage, she draws on her complex identity to promote dialogue and coexistence between Muslim and Jewish communities throughout North Africa and the Gulf. She recently organised the first-ever Abraham Accords Deradicalisation Summit, where she contributed to shaping cultural frameworks for regional integration in the wake of normalisation agreements. In today’s conversation, we discuss her recent Quillette essay examining Qatar’s ideological reach into Western institutions, the suppression of critical voices, and the broader ambitions of Islamist movements on the global stage. Drawing from her lived experience across Morocco, the Gulf, and the United States, Chama reflects on how Islamist actors have appropriated the language of democracy to undermine liberal values from within. What emerges is a sobering analysis of the soft power networks quietly reshaping our political and cultural institutions—and the steep cost of looking the other way. We also explore how culture is weaponised, how the West has failed to confront these forces, and what a path toward genuine peace and pluralism in the Middle East might look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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How Audience Capture Fuels Antisemitism, Identity Politics, and Anti-Israel Hysteria | Corey Walker
Dec 1201:20:06Tap to summarizeFrom algorithmic incentives to progressive posturing, this episode explores how anti-Semitism has become a feature—not a bug—of influencer culture. Zoe Booth speaks with Corey Walker, a Washington, D.C.-based reporter focusing on the Middle East and global terror groups, about audience capture, the anti-Western project of the modern Left, and why Israel represents values worth conserving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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