What The F Is Going On? with Mark Steel

What The F Is Going On? with Mark Steel

The world’s a mess, politics is ridiculous, and nobody seems to know what’s going on. Join Mark Steel as he sets out to make sense of the chaos — and maybe even figure out how we can fix it. Each week, Mark sits down with brilliant guests from comedy, politics and culture for funny, honest and occasionally furious conversations about modern life. Featuring guests including Miles Jupp, Jeremy Corbyn, Caitlin Moran, Zack Polanski, Alan Davies, Matt Forde, Ash Sarkar and many more, all helping Mark answer one big question… WHAT THE F IS GOING ON?

Episodes

July 13, 2026 65 mins
In Part Two, Gary Younge reflects on growing up black in Britain, covering Nelson Mandela's election in South Africa, interviewing some of the world's biggest figures, and why identity politics is so often misunderstood. Mark and Gary discuss racism, history, statues, representation, Maya Angelou, teaching children about race, and why asking better questions matters far more than finding easy answers. For Ad-free episodes, Exte...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Gary Younge joins Mark for a conversation about what has gone wrong with British politics. They discuss Andy Burnham's leadership, Labour's collapse, the rise of the Greens, Gaza, immigration, the media's failure to ask difficult questions, and whether politicians have become more interested in protecting institutions than changing people's lives. Along the way they ask who really holds power, why politicians seem terrified of the...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
This week Mark continues his conversation with Susie Mccabe  In part two, Susie McCabe talks openly about growing up gay in Glasgow, coming out in the 90s and the realities of working-class family life in Britain. Alongside deeply personal stories about being thrown out after coming out and living with her gran, Susie and Mark also tear into David Cameron, class politics, Scottish identity and the absurdity of Westminster a...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Mark is joined by brilliant Glaswegian comic Susie McCabe for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation about Glasgow pubs, estate boozers, working-class culture and the strange beauty of chaos. From naked men singing Dexys Midnight Runners in Birkenhead pubs to old women confronting police officers outside Glasgow bars, this episode is packed with incredible stories, brilliant observations and a huge amount of affection for the peopl...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
This week Mark continues his conversation with Nick Hancock. In part two, Mark Steel and Nick Hancock continue their brilliant conversation about football, corruption and the strange way sport reflects society itself. From FIFA’s greed to Simon Cowell manufacturing pop stars, the pair explore what happens when money takes over the things people genuinely love. There’s also chat about podcasts, nostalgia, modern sport...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Mark is joined by legendary broadcaster and comedy icon Nick Hancock for a furious, funny and gloriously nostalgic deep dive into the World Cup. From crying over England’s defeat in 1970 to the magic of crackly late-night commentary, Nick and Mark relive the tournaments that shaped their lives before turning their attention to what modern football has become. FIFA, Trump, halftime shows, dynamic pricing, water breaks for adve...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
This week Mark continues his conversation with Alan Davies. 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.patr...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
This week Mark is joined by comedian, actor, cricket obsessive and national treasure Alan Davies for a conversation that covers childhood trauma, football VAR, council bureaucracy, working-class warehouses, stand-up comedy in the 80s, Peter Snow in a BBC toilet, and why comedians instinctively know when someone is “not really a comic”. Alan talks candidly about the deeply personal experiences behind his memoirs Just ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
This week Mark continues his conversation with Rachel Millward. 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....
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
The morning after the local elections, Mark is joined by Green Party deputy leader Rachel Millward to ask the only question anyone in British politics can answer right now: what the f**k is going on? As Labour and the Conservatives collapse into third and fourth place, Rachel explains why the Greens believe they’re becoming the real opposition — and why the political establishment seems terrified of it. From housing ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Mark is joined by journalist and columnist Matthew Norman as they discuss the rise and influence of Peter Mandelson, New Labour’s ruthless relationship with the media, how political standards have collapsed over the past 30 years, Mandelson’s reputation for power, spin and survival, the blurred lines between journalism and politics, and why modern British politics now feels closer to oligarchy than democracy. They also ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
This week Mark continues his conversation with Mothin Ali. 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.patre...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Mark is joined by Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali as they discuss the Greens’ breakthrough in Gorton and Denton, Labour’s increasingly desperate attacks, anti-war politics, media smears, why Reform voters aren’t the enemy, the case for rent caps and public ownership, and whether the Green Party can genuinely replace Labour as Britain’s main opposition. They also get into Mothin’s political roots, ...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
This week Mark continues his conversation with Emma Warren. 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.patr...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Mark is joined by writer and youth worker Emma Warren as they discuss the importance of youth clubs in shaping communities, growing up around grassroots music and culture, how youth services have been systematically dismantled, what happens to young people when those spaces disappear, and why rebuilding youth infrastructure is essential to fixing deeper social problems – and you can buy Emma’s book Up The Youth Club onl...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
March 30, 2026 59 mins
Mark is joined by Dr Julia Grace Patterson as they discuss the collapse of NHS working conditions, corridor care and patients dying in hospital hallways, the government’s handling of staffing and funding, the role of privatisation in reshaping the health service, why politicians pit patients against doctors, and how growing public anger could reshape British politics. For Ad-free episodes, Extended cuts, Early access &...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Mark is joined by writer and political commentator Ali Milani as they break down the war in Iran, Trump’s lack of a clear strategy, whether the conflict is really about nuclear weapons, the role of Israel in shaping US policy, the history of Western intervention in Iran, why regime change from the air doesn’t work, and how this war could actually strengthen the very regime it claims to weaken. For ad-free episodes, e...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
This week Mark continues his conversation with Miles. 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.co...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Mark is joined by comedian Miles Jupp as they discuss the weird thrill of shoplifting supermarket bags and charity-auction bidding, the rise and collapse of the Scottish Socialist Party, Tommy Sheridan’s extraordinary charisma, bombing at Glastonbury and in West Belfast, the old circuit’s strangest characters, awkward encounters with heroes from Paul Weller to John Gordon Sinclair, and why comedians never quite stop rel...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
This week Mark continues his conversation with Laura. 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.co...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Hey Jonas! The official Jonas Brothers podcast. Hosted by Kevin, Joe, and Nick Jonas. It’s the Jonas Brothers you know... musicians, actors, and well, yes, brothers. Now, they’re sharing another side of themselves in the playful, intimate, and irreverent way only they can. Spend time with the Jonas Brothers here and stay a little bit longer for deep conversations like never before.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

    Betrayal Weekly

    Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices