Planet Normal

By: The Telegraph
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  • Summary

  • 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.
    © Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.
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Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen on Reform and the future of the Conservative Party

    Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen on Reform and the future of the Conservative Party
    Jan 30 2025

    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his take on the flurry of activity during Trump's first days in office and why he is frustrated with Keir Starmer's ‘outdated’ ideas.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 delivers some harsh economic truths and Tim reveals a surprising talent with his impression of President Donald Trump.


    Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

    Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

    Read more from Tim: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/t/tf-tj/tim-stanley/ |

    Read Ben’s letter to the Trade Unions concerning the UK Steel industry: https://x.com/BenHouchen/status/1842589896160202996/photo/1 |

    Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |

    Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |

    For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |



    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Labour’s Marxist attack on education

    Labour’s Marxist attack on education
    Jan 23 2025

    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, Katharine Birbalsingh who explains the reasons behind her recent letter to the Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson.


    And co-pilot Halligan gives a glimpse behind the curtain from his recent appearance on Question Time.


    Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

    Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

    Read Allison: Why we Brits envy the US having Donald Trump’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/22/britain-jealous-of-us-donald-trump/|

    Read Allison: ‘Starmer’s mealy-mouthed statement shows he’s no leader’:https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/21/starmer-southport-axel-rudakubana-jo-cox-thomas-mair/ |

    Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |

    Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |

    For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Is the UK's grooming gang shame just the tip of worldwide iceberg?

    Is the UK's grooming gang shame just the tip of worldwide iceberg?
    Jan 16 2025


    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? Resident rocket economist co-pilot Halligan brings his expert opinion and context to the discussion.


    Joining your co-pilots this week to discuss the recent grooming gang scandal is the inspirational author of Infidel: My Life, and Prey: Immigration, Islam, and the Erosion of Women's Rights, is activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali.


    Read more from Liam: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/liam-halligan/ |

    Read more from Allison: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/a/ak-ao/allison-pearson/ |

    Read Allison” : ‘Rachel Reeves should quit now, not later this year’: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/01/14/rachel-reeves-should-quit-now-not-later-this-year/ |

    Read ‘Infidel: My Life’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Infidel-Ayaan-Hirsi-Ali/dp/1416526242 |

    Need help subscribing or reviewing? Learn more about podcasts here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/podcasts/podcast-can-find-best-ones-listen/ |

    Email: planetnormal@telegraph.co.uk |

    For 30 days’ free access to The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/normal |




    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 47 mins

What listeners say about Planet Normal

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Profile Image for H. E. Elliott

common sense

wonderful to hear common sense in this crazy world. definitely my therapy for the week.

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Profile Image for Biz

A brilliant podcast

I really look forward to Thursdays and the new edition of Planet Normal. Allison and Liam, our pilot and co-pilot who both write for the Telegraph put the week's events into perspective, pulling apart inflated numbers and mis-information - especially regarding the Covid pandemic and the one sided, misleading and downright dishonest science presented by the media. Their knowledgeable guests are often people shunned by the BBC and other media as they don't toe the party line. A real breath of fresh air.

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Profile Image for MS F

I look forward to it every week

I really enjoy this podcast. Allison Pearson and Liam Halligan have great chemistry and are fearless in their opinions. Interesting guests and relevant topics

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Still good but..

PN used to be great but it's refusal
to acknowledge the possibility of vaccine harm is infuriating. This week Andrew Bridgen spoke very powerfully about this to an empty Parliament...yet this bombshell was completely ignored!. But because PN supported the vaccine they cannot possibly do an about face as the facts change.!.
Also Haligan's refusal to discuss immigration without banging on about his Irish ancestory growing up in London..tolerance bla bla bla yada yada every time is becoming boring and patronising. He's too cosy with his chums in power to be the voice of reason we need.

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Profile Image for AM

Clear summary of budget

The budget was controversial- good coverage of the budget, Bank of England response and market reaction. Entertaining too!

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Profile Image for A. Anderson

Required listening to stay sane!

A fantastic insight into the statistics and human stories behind the pandemic. A must-listen every week.

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Profile Image for Soul-Bazaar

Love love love… freedom of speech and polite debate

What’s not to love about a podcast that speaks the thoughts of most people freely. Planet Normal is simply and plainly speaking generally centrist type thoughts. The type of thoughts that are, worryingly, being increasingly touted as bigoted and far right, or, overblown as dangerous by numerous Legacy Media outlets who’s presenter’s/editors/journalists/backers now seem to live in an ideological bubble that no one normal can identify with, and instantly cancel or target as bigots anyone who has a thought that does not strictly align with their chosen rhetoric. So, shame, shame, shame on main stream & legacy media, and WELL DONE Rocket Pilots who got me through lockdown with some sanity left. THANK YOU. Never give up, never surrender.

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Profile Image for Eve-Vee

pure common sense in a mad mad world

Planet Normal should be compulsary listening for everyone! 🤣
Great political analysis, humour and some of the best guests from across the political, business & social spectrum. I cannot recommend a weekly trip aboard the Rocket of Right Thinking enough.

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