<![CDATA[The Beacon: Podcasts]]>https://www.readthebeacon.org/s/podcasthttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!qlD9!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb5d0d98b-5ec5-4f23-b27e-3cd8a839d673_1280x1280.pngThe Beacon: Podcastshttps://www.readthebeacon.org/s/podcastSubstackThu, 07 May 2026 00:25:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reform UK vs DEI: Will Local Elections 2026 Send Us Back Decades?]]>https://www.readthebeacon.org/p/reform-uk-vs-dei-will-local-electionshttps://www.readthebeacon.org/p/reform-uk-vs-dei-will-local-electionsSat, 25 Apr 2026 20:38:00 GMTIn this interview, our correspondent, Nitasha Ramparsad and legal expert Charles Boyle breaks down what DEI actually does in practice, how it affects workers, public services, and why it matters ahead of the upcoming local elections. With Reform UK openly challenging the Equality Act, this conversation looks at what that could mean for ordinary people across the UK.

]]><![CDATA[Trumps Blockade Could Spike Oil Prices AGAIN! (With Commodore Simon Kelly)]]>https://www.readthebeacon.org/p/trumps-blockade-could-spike-oil-priceshttps://www.readthebeacon.org/p/trumps-blockade-could-spike-oil-pricesTue, 14 Apr 2026 20:38:00 GMTIn this podcast, filmed on the 13th of April, The Beacon speaks to Commodore Simon Kelly, a former Royal Navy mine warfare expert, to break down the reality behind the headlines. From boarding oil tankers at sea to the legal grey areas of “blockade”, we explore how the US might try to choke off Iranian oil exports — and the risks of escalation that come with it.

We also dig into:

How modern naval blockades are enforced
Why mines (even rumours of them) can shut down global trade
The role of Gulf states and why they may refuse involvement
Whether this is an off-ramp… or a path to wider conflict
Who actually benefits if the crisis drags on

With global oil markets, shipping routes, and geopolitical stability all at stake, this is one of the most consequential flashpoints in the world right now.

]]><![CDATA[Would Seizing Greenland Trigger a NATO War? (With Peter Viggo Jacobsen)]]>https://www.readthebeacon.org/p/would-seizing-greenland-trigger-ahttps://www.readthebeacon.org/p/would-seizing-greenland-trigger-aSat, 11 Apr 2026 20:26:00 GMTIn this episode of The Beacon Podcast, we speak to Danish defence expert and Associate Professor at the Danish Defence College, Peter Viggo Jacobsen about the extraordinary reports that Denmark sent blood packs and military supplies to Greenland amid fears of a potential US move under Donald Trump.

We explore:

Why Denmark took the threat seriously
The reaction inside the Danish military and civilian population
What this reveals about shifting trust within NATO
Greenland’s strategic importance in global security
Whether Trump’s pressure is reshaping European defence spending

Peter offers a rare insider perspective on a moment that many in Europe found “unreal” — preparing, even symbolically, for conflict with a long-standing ally.


Photo Credit: Defense.gov

]]><![CDATA[Why Banning Social Media for Under 16s Won’t Protect Kids (With Andy Burrows)]]>https://www.readthebeacon.org/p/why-banning-social-media-for-underhttps://www.readthebeacon.org/p/why-banning-social-media-for-underFri, 10 Apr 2026 20:17:00 GMTWhat responsibility do social media platforms bear for real-world harm?

In this interview, Miles Bennington speaks with Andy Burrows, CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation, about the fight to make the online world safer.

They explore the tragic case that changed the debate, how algorithms can drive harm, and why 2026 may mark a turning point in regulating Big Tech. From youth social media bans to AI-generated abuse, this conversation cuts through the noise to focus on what actually works.

Topics covered:

The story behind the Molly Rose Foundation
The impact of algorithmic recommendation systems
Why social media bans for under-16s may fail
The rise of AI harms, including “nudification” tools
Whether governments are finally ready to take on Big Tech
Practical advice for parents navigating online safety

If you care about the future of the internet, democracy, and the safety of children online, this is for you.

Mark Zuckerberg Photo Credit: Anthony Quintano

]]><![CDATA[Could the US Actually Seize the Strait of Hormuz?]]>https://www.readthebeacon.org/p/could-the-us-actually-seize-the-strait-84fhttps://www.readthebeacon.org/p/could-the-us-actually-seize-the-strait-84fWed, 08 Apr 2026 19:53:00 GMT

The Beacon is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This was recorded on April 2nd 2026.

Trump Photo Credit: Gage Skidmor

]]>