The John Batchelor Show

Preview for Later Today: Jim McTague. McTague reports on a surge in local tourism in Lancaster and Cape May . Travelers are choosing "short hops" to avoid expensive air travel and high-priced hotels, leading to packed beaches and full restaurants tonight. 1912 ALLENTOWN

Preview for Later Today: John Yoo. Yoo analyzes the American Revolution as a conservative movement aimed at restoring ancient liberties. He emphasizes the early commitment to three branches of government and the critical, often overlooked principle of civilian control over military. 1859

Preview for Later Today: Bob Zimmerman. Zimmerman discusses Comet 3I/ATLAS , a 12-billion-year-old interstellar visitor. Its unique isotopes offer scientists a rare look into the early universe's makeup, providing valuable data for galactic archaeology and understanding ancient solar system formation processes. 1958

SCHEDULE JBS, 6-25-26. JUNE 1957 The Fog of Diplomacy in the Strait of Hormuz. Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland. McCausland discusses a memorandum of understanding with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear weapons. He notes the Iranian requirement for reconstruction aid and the release of frozen assets. He also touches on the IDF 's continued presence in Lebanon , Syria , and Gaza despite...

STREAMING THE MAKING OF THEJOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING JIM MCTAGUE, 6-25-2026 LONDON This transcript captures a wide-ranging conversation between host John Bachelor and guest Jim McTague regarding global crises and the impact of technology. They begin by discussing a catastrophic earthquake in Venezuela , framing the disaster against a backdrop of political instability and a government they lab...

The Distortions of Global Wealth Taxes. Guest: Veronique de Rugy. De Rugy discusses how the UK 's tax system discourages international athletes from competing at Wimbledon by taxing their worldwide endorsements. She argues that oppressive global tax schemes, such as California 's proposed billionaire tax, often result in reduced economic activity and lower wage growth for middle-class workers. 16...

The Chronic Failures of the Cuban Regime. Guest: Mary Anastasia O'Grady. O'Grady analyzes Cuba 's ongoing economic misery and electricity crises, which the government blames on the U.S. embargo. She references the failed 10-million-ton sugar harvest of 1970 as a symbol of the state's incompetence. The regime maintains power through bitter repression and control over food resources. 15 1959 HAVANA

Political Interference and FBI Counter-Intelligence Failures. Guest: Craig Unger. Unger discusses how investigations into the 2020 election and Rudy Giuliani were allegedly stymied. He notes that Giuliani received payments from Russian oligarchs, potentially compromising the Trump campaign. Unger and Buma explore why major intelligence agencies and the Department of Justice have not pursued these...

The FBI, Money Laundering, and the Russian Mob. Guest: Craig Unger. Unger interviews whistleblower Johnathan Buma , a former FBI agent, regarding investigations into Donald Trump 's ties to Russian intelligence. He claims Trump Tower served as a "laundromat" for the Russian mafia to clean illicit funds through luxury real estate. Unger questions why the FBI failed to act. 13 1

The Enduring Legacy of the Brontës in Haworth. Guest: Deborah Lutz. Lutz reflects on the Brontës' lasting cultural impact and Haworth 's transformation into a major tourist destination. She discusses the critical backlash the novel initially faced for its violence. Despite the tragedy surrounding their lives, the Brontës remain buried beneath the church they once inhabited. 12 1846 BRUSSELS

The Experimental Haunting of Wuthering Heights. Guest: Deborah Lutz. Lutz explores the Gothic structure and experimental narrative frames of Wuthering Heights . She suggests Heathcliff is an extension of Emily's own fierce imagination. The segment concludes with the tragic deaths of Branwell , Emily , and Anne from tuberculosis, leaving Patrick as the family's sole survivor. 11 1825 BRUSSELS

The Reclusive Genius of Emily Brontë. Guest: Deborah Lutz. Lutz describes Emily Brontë 's writing habits in her small bedroom overlooking a graveyard. Despite her reclusive nature and strong-minded personality, she lived a life filled with "joy and contentment" while crafting Wuthering Heights . Lutz notes that her sisters initially found the dark, violent novel strange. 10 PATRICK BRANWELL BRONTE

The Bell Brothers and the Collaborative Creation of Novels. Guest: Deborah Lutz. Lutz explains how the sisters published their poetry under the pseudonyms Currer , Ellis , and Acton Bell to avoid gender bias. Despite selling only two copies, they immediately began collaborating on their first novels. Lutz also explores the troubled life of their brother, Branwell . 9 CHARLOTTE BRONTE

Brussels, Poetry, and the Birth of a Unique Voice. Guest: Deborah Lutz. Lutz discusses Charlotte and Emily 's education in Brussels , where Emily honed her concise writing style and piano skills. Following their aunt's death, the sisters returned to Haworth and used their inheritance to focus on writing. They compiled their poetry into a volume under male pseudonyms. 8 ANNE BRONTE GRAVE AT SCARBOR...

Imaginary Empires and the Fierce Loyalty of Keeper. Guest: Deborah Lutz. Lutz describes the miniature books the Brontë children created to document their imaginary worlds, Angria and Gondal . The discussion shifts to Emily's domestic life in Haworth , where she balanced household chores with writing. Lutz also recounts Emily's intense bond with her massive, formidable mastiff-mix dog, Keeper . 7 E...

The Influence of Aunt Branwell and Early Tragedy. Guest: Deborah Lutz. Lutz highlights Aunt Elizabeth Branwell 's sacrifice in moving to Haworth to raise the Brontë children, introducing them to cosmopolitan stories. The segment also details the tragic deaths of the eldest sisters, Maria and Elizabeth , from tuberculosis after a harrowing experience at a poorly managed boarding school. 6 CHARLOTTE...

Emily Brontë's Dark Inspiration from the Family Vault. Guest: Deborah Lutz. Lutz examines the profound impact of Emily Brontë 's mother's death and the construction of the family burial vault beneath the church floor. She argues this underground space fueled Emily's literary obsession with dungeons and graves. Lutz also defends Patrick Brontë against historical claims of severity. 5 CHARLOTTE, EMI...

Preview for Later Today: Deborah Lutz. Deborah Lutz also explores the writing of Wuthering Heights , noting it took Emily Brontë two years of hard work and revision. While inspired by real houses, the novel's dark, violent nature initially unsettled her sisters. 1845 BRANWELL BRONTE

Preview for Later Today: Deborah Lutz. Deborah Lutz describes the Brontë siblings' childhood in the 1830s, where they created elaborate fantasy worlds like Angria and Gondal using toy soldiers. These imaginative role-playing games served as early rehearsals for their literary careers. 1840 BRANWELL BRONTE

Almaz: The Secret Soviet Spy Station in Space. Guest: Anatoly Zak. Zak describes the top-secret Almaz program, military space stations camouflaged under the " Salyut " name for reconnaissance. These "spy satellites with men" took high-resolution photos of NATO bases. The program was eventually discontinued because robotic satellites proved more effective and less taxing on human crews. 4 1959

Structural Fatigue and Leaks on the ISS Zvezda Module. Guest: Anatoly Zak. Zak details the critical role of the Zvezda module, which provides propulsion and life support for the International Space Station . He addresses growing concerns over air leaks and cracks in a transfer compartment. While currently manageable, the cracks reappear despite repeated sealing attempts. 3 1954

The Evolving Robotic Battlefield in Ukraine. Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland. McCausland explains how drones have transformed the war in Ukraine , effectively cutting off Russian supply lines to Crimea . He discusses the massive casualty rates caused by drones and Ukraine's plan to deploy thousands of ground robots. Meanwhile, Russia faces severe manpower shortages and high casualty counts. 2 1855...

The Fog of Diplomacy in the Strait of Hormuz. Guest: Colonel Jeff McCausland. McCausland discusses a memorandum of understanding with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear weapons. He notes the Iranian requirement for reconstruction aid and the release of frozen assets. He also touches on the IDF 's continued presence in Lebanon , Syria , and Gaza despite regional negotiations. 1 1898 GA...

Mary O'Grady. Mary O'Grady discusses Cuba 's persistent electricity crisis, explaining that chronic blackouts result from decades of infrastructure deterioration in the power grid and heavy oil plants, rather than solely being caused by losing Venezuelan oil supplies. 1969

Anatoly Zak. Anatoly Zak outlines Russia 's plans for an independent space station following the ISS deorbiting around 2031. The aging Zvezda module will be retired, while newer modules launched after 2021 will form the new station.