The Why? Curve

Marriage Guidance

As divorce lawyers enter their busiest season, how sustainable is modern marriage? Plenty of couples never bother to formally marry, and the rate of break-ups in those who do has been rising. Does the model of lifelong partnership, sanctioned by law, work in an era of constant choice about everything from mobile phones to relationships? Are permanent couples the happiest form of human interaction? Phil and Roger get guidance from Dr Veronica Lamarche, senior psychology lecturer at the University of Essex. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MAGA Movies In 2026?

Is Donald Trump aiming to reshape Hollywood? His supporters are putting money into making movies that reflect the MAGA outlook - old-fashioned heroes in action films - and bury what they see as the liberal woke influence on moviegoers. The struggle between Netflix and Skydance over who will buy Warner Bros is part of that. So will 2026 be the year that cinema turned to the right? Sarah Atkinson, Professor of Screen Media at King’s College London, tells Phil and Roger what to expect Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anglican Agony

The first Christmas for the new Archbishop of Canterbury, and the first Christmas message by a woman in that office at the head of the Anglican communion. Sarah Mullally leads a global church in crisis - over child abuse, gay marriage and diminishing congregations. Can it survive the huge divisions on doctrine and practice between the faithful in the global south, and those in the rich West? Phil and Roger ask Professor Andrew McGowan, Dean of the Divinity School at Yale University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Starmer Stuffed?

Just eighteen months after a massive electoral victory, the man who leads the Labour party and the country seems to be unable to govern effectively, and it's widely assumed he will be replaced in 2026. Sir Keir Starmer has some of the worst poll ratings in modern political history, and few of his MPs want him to stay prime minister, but who will replace him? When, and how? And what chance will they have of dealing with the country's myriad problems? Robert Ford, Professor of Political Science at Manchester University, tells Phil and Roger what lies ahead for the Labour Party and British politics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's happening in Gaza

Two months after the ceasefire came in to effect, what's happened in the Gaza Strip? As the world's attention moves away, how are the two million Palestinians there coping, without shelter and with little food and medical care? Do the regular reports of Israeli airstrikes signal a fracturing peace? And who is in charge? The second stage of the peace plan is supposed to come into effect in a few weeks - but what will that amount to for the future of Gaza and its people? Simon Mabon, Professor of Politics at Lancaster University, rejoins Phil and Roger with the latest on the prospects for avoiding further conflict. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.