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What The F Is Going On? with Mark Steel

What The F Is Going On? with Mark Steel

WTF Productions 230 Episodes Jul 20, 2026

Mark Steel hosts a weekly podcast where he tries to make sense of the chaotic state of the world and politics. Each episode features conversations with guests from comedy, politics, and culture, including Miles Jupp, Jeremy Corbyn, Caitlin Moran, and others. The discussions are funny, honest, and occasionally furious, aiming to answer the question: 'What the f is going on?'

Episodes

Ep 188 with Andy Parsons Pt 1: Sport Is Never Just Sport
Ep 188 with Andy Parsons Pt 1: Sport Is Never Just Sport Jul 20, 2026 2563 Mark is joined by comedian Andy Parsons for a conversation that starts with Ben Stokes, cricket curfews and Gareth Southgate, before expanding into a much bigger question: why Britain seems permanently disappointed with itself. They discuss entitlement, national identity, satire, Mock The Week, the changing media landscape, Andy Burnham, football, and whether politicians are now too managed to eve
Ep 187 with Gary Younge Pt 2: History Isn’t What You Think
Ep 187 with Gary Younge Pt 2: History Isn’t What You Think Jul 13, 2026 3928 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 ans
Ep 187 with Gary Younge Pt 1: Immigration was never the problem!
Ep 187 with Gary Younge Pt 1: Immigration was never the problem! Jul 6, 2026 3451 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, wh
Ep 186 with Susie Mccabe Pt 2 : Scottish People Can’t Relate To Posh Etonians
Ep 186 with Susie Mccabe Pt 2 : Scottish People Can’t Relate To Posh Etonians Jun 29, 2026 3183 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
Ep 186 with Susie Mccabe Pt 1: I am unapologetically Glaswegian!
Ep 186 with Susie Mccabe Pt 1: I am unapologetically Glaswegian! Jun 22, 2026 2743 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 hug
Ep 185 with Nick Hancock Pt 2  : Football Now Feels Manufactured
Ep 185 with Nick Hancock Pt 2 : Football Now Feels Manufactured Jun 15, 2026 2556 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,
Ep 185 with Nick Hancock Pt 1: The World Cup Is Going To Be A F***ing Circus!
Ep 185 with Nick Hancock Pt 1: The World Cup Is Going To Be A F***ing Circus! Jun 8, 2026 3162 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 p
Ep 184 with Alan Davies Pt 2: I Spent Years Pretending I Was Fine
Ep 184 with Alan Davies Pt 2: I Spent Years Pretending I Was Fine Jun 1, 2026 2974 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! ⁠ht
Ep 184 with Alan Davies Pt 1: Comedy Became My Family
Ep 184 with Alan Davies Pt 1: Comedy Became My Family May 25, 2026 3032 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 b
Ep 183 with Rachel Millward Pt 2: We Are Sleepwalking Into Disaster!
Ep 183 with Rachel Millward Pt 2: We Are Sleepwalking Into Disaster! May 18, 2026 2985 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!
Ep 183 with Rachel Millward Pt 1: Labour Came FOURTH!
Ep 183 with Rachel Millward Pt 1: Labour Came FOURTH! May 13, 2026 3269 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 terrifi
Ep 182: What The F Is Going On With Peter Mandelson?
Ep 182: What The F Is Going On With Peter Mandelson? May 4, 2026 4355 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 tha

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