What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel
From Donald Trump's tariffs to Elon Musk's Teslas; from the rise of Reform to 'Woke Marxist Popes' and the axing of Winter Fuel Payments, award winning comedian Mark Steel and some very special guests attempt to answer the most taxing intellectual question of our time... What The F*** Is Going On?! Get video versions and instant access to the full interviews on Patreon.
Episodes
December 15, 2025 • 66 mins
Mark is joined by historian and author Caroline Biggs as they discuss Cambridge University’s forgotten history of imprisoning women, the extraordinary story behind The Spinning House, class privilege and power, how suspicion became guilt, and why the legacy of control and misogyny still echoes today.
Order your copy of “The Spinning House” here: https://thehistorypress.co.uk/publication/the-spinning-house/
You can hear the se...
Mark as Played
December 8, 2025 • 67 mins
This week Mark continues his conversation with Marcus Brigstocke. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.
Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it! https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgo...
Mark as Played
December 1, 2025 • 63 mins
Mark is joined by comedian Marcus Brigstocke as they discuss growing up in privilege, being expelled from boarding school, addiction and recovery, how comedy shaped his politics, class and inequality in Britain – and what it means to stay hopeful while everything feels absurd.
You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on the higher tier of Patreon? For £4 a mont...
Mark as Played
November 24, 2025 • 41 mins
This week Mark continues his conversation with Marina Purkiss and Jemma Forte. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.
Please do check out Marina and Jemma’s podcast “the trawl” available on all platforms!
Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to th...
Mark as Played
November 17, 2025 • 40 mins
Mark is joined by Marina Purkiss and Jemma Forte — the outspoken hosts of The Trawl — to talk about the state of British politics, why humour is a vital weapon against despair, and how compassion got lost in the shouting. They discuss Labour’s moral drift, the Green Party’s rise, and what it means to stay human in a political landscape fuelled by fear. Expect sharp wit, rage, and even a baked potato scandal involving Prince Andrew....
Mark as Played
November 10, 2025 • 49 mins
This week Mark continues his conversation with Andrew Fisher. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.
Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it! https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingo...
Mark as Played
November 3, 2025 • 46 mins
Mark is joined by writer and former Labour policy chief Andrew Fisher as they discuss life after Westminster, the realities of drafting a manifesto, Labour’s internal battles, the legacy of Corbynism, the future of the left under Starmer, and why real political change begins in communities — not committee rooms
You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on the hi...
Mark as Played
October 27, 2025 • 76 mins
This week Mark continues his conversation with Jeremy Corbyn. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.
Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it! https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingo...
Mark as Played
October 20, 2025 • 56 mins
Mark is joined by Jeremy Corbyn as they discuss the state of British democracy, the cost of living crisis, media power and misinformation, Palestine and global solidarity, grassroots activism, and finding hope through community organising and kindness.
You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview stra...
Mark as Played
October 13, 2025 • 37 mins
This week Mark continues his conversation with Rob Evans. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.
Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it!
www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod
F...
Mark as Played
October 6, 2025 • 39 mins
Mark is joined by journalist Rob Evans as they discuss the shocking world of undercover policing, the unmasking of “Mark Stone,” officers who fathered children while undercover, surveillance of the Stephen Lawrence campaign, how activists exposed the spies — and the absurdities that came out at the public inquiry.
You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on Pa...
Mark as Played
September 28, 2025 • 48 mins
This week Mark continues his conversation with Rosie Holt. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.
Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it! https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpo...
Mark as Played
September 21, 2025 • 48 mins
Mark is joined by comedian and satirist Rosie Holt as they discuss her viral lockdown sketches, the absurdity of political spin, Partygate, why people fell for her fake MP, the blurred line between satire and reality, and whether comedy can really change anything
You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole in...
Mark as Played
September 13, 2025 • 45 mins
This week Mark continues his conversation with Ash Sarkar. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.
Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it! https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpo...
Mark as Played
September 7, 2025 • 48 mins
Mark is joined by journalist Ash Sarkar as they discuss anti-racist activism, Ash’s political family background, building solidarity through shared struggles, Labour under Starmer - and Optimism in grassroots organising.
You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be...
Mark as Played
August 30, 2025 • 47 mins
This week Mark continues his conversation with Seann Walsh. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.
Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it!
www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod
...
Mark as Played
August 23, 2025 • 56 mins
Mark is joined by comedian Seann Walsh as they discuss service stations, booking train tickets, the new world of comedy, Seann’s upbringing - and getting your phone stolen.
You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it! https://www.patreon.com/wtfis...
Mark as Played
August 16, 2025 • 47 mins
This week Mark continues his conversation with Zack Polanski . If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.
Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it! https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoing...
Mark as Played
August 9, 2025 • 53 mins
Mark is joined by the Deputy Leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski. Together they discuss why he joined the Green Party, working with Jeremy Corbyn, providing an alternative to Reform - plus the misconceptions about the Green Party and how he hopes to change them.
You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the who...
Mark as Played
August 2, 2025 • 45 mins
This week Mark continues his conversation with Matthew Norman. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.
Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it! https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoing...
Mark as Played
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