The New Normal

The Generations Game Aug 27, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the continuing fallout of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the risk to those left behind and the rise of the regional arm of Islamic State.
Bobby Duffy, director of The Policy Institute at King's College London, joins us to talk about Generations, his new book exploring whether when we’re born determines our attitudes to money, sex, religion, politics and much else.
The government’s planned £20-a-week cut to universal credit is well and truly Cashed and burned.
Plus there's an announcement.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Out of Afghanistan and into the office Aug 20, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the rapid Taliban takeover, the UK government's faltering response and what the future might hold.
As James Dyson becomes the latest figure to demand an immediate return to the office, Nicky Hoyland, CEO of tech firm Huler, joins us to explain why remote working has its benefits.
Dr Hannah Bradshaw of Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania pops by to tell us about her study showing that fussy eaters who avoid new foods are less likely to be thought sexually attractive.
Plus there's Nando's running out of chicken and what it says about Brexit and the sad passing of the brilliant Sean Lock.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger
For more information about Hannah Bradshaw's work, click here.

Hi to Dubai and knitfluencing Aug 06, 2021

Matt Withers and Cash Boyle return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the government's decision to let vaccinated holidaymakers to France, Dubai and India avoid quarantine on their return, the news UK musicians will be able to tour visa-free in 19 EU countries and why nobody seems to care about the whiff of Conservatism corruption.
Juliet Bernard of UK Hand Knitting joins us to talk about what effect Tom Daley's poolside projects have had on the pastime's reputation.
Plus the latest from the fevered mind of Dominic Cummings and why it's possible to like both football and the Olympics.

UNESCO enforces and dancing horses Jul 30, 2021

Matt Withers and Cash Boyle return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the anger at the BBC not showing Olympic events it's not able to show, Sajid Javid calling on people not to cower from Covid and the latest target of the anti-woke brigade: the RNLI.
Professor Michael Parkinson, honorary professor at the University of Liverpool, joins us to talk about UNESCO's decision to strip the city of its World Heritage status and what it means.
Plus we pay tribute to The X Factor as it vanishes from our screens and wonder how making a horse look a bit like it's dancing became a sport.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Pings can only get better Jul 23, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the pingdemic, Covid passports, rising case numbers and what it all means for the weeks and months ahead.
There's analysis of Dominic Cumming's latest TV special and the behind-closed-doors start of the Tokyo Olympics.
Plus Priti Patel's latest wheeze to treat journalists as spies, and what to do in this awful, awful heat.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Flares and foreign aid Jul 16, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the toxic racism that followed England's Euros final defeat, the government surviving a rebellion to pass cuts to the foreign aid budget and the impending chaos of whether we're expected to wear masks or not next week.
James Grimes, founder of anti-gambling harm campaign group The Big Step, joins us to talk about his organisation's attempts to force a change in football’s relationship with betting.
Plus there is, of course, discussion of the man who attempted to unite a nation by putting a flare up his backside.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger
For more information about Gambling with Lives, the group set up by the families and friends of young people who had taken their own lives as a direct result of gambling, click here.

Statues, angry pop and England's insuppressible march to glory Jul 09, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss Gareth Southgate's Glory Boys' unassailable march to the Euro 2020 title and Boris Johnson's determination to lift all Covid restrictions come what may.
Historian Alex von Tunzelmann joins us to talk about her new book about the toppling of statues, Fallen Idols, while artist Ben Turnbull drops by to discuss his retrospective exhibition at London's Saatchi Gallery, American History Remix.
Plus there's analysis of Priti Patel's latest asylum overhaul plans, an unexpected Labour victory in the Batley and Spen by-election and a market stall which peddled Bert Simpson t-shirts.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Hancock's last hours and making the polluters pay Jul 02, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss Matt Hancock's resignation and Gareth Southgate's Glory Boys' unassailable march to the Euro 2020 title.
Deepa Mistry and Steve Day from campaigners BuildingSafetyCrisis.org join us to discuss the Polluter Pays Bill, a piece of legislation aimed at tackling the cladding crisis.
And Cash and Burn turns its attention to the berks who accosted England's chief medical officer and unlikely sex symbol Chris Whitty.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

A Drama Queen and the housing scene Jun 25, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss five years since the Brexit vote and Conservative MP Joy Morrissey's call for all homes to display a portrait of the Queen.
Comedy writer Sara Gibbs joins us to talk about her new book Drama Queen, about life as an autistic woman, while Matt Hubbard of Lloyds Banking Group sets out the state of the housing market post-pandemic.
And we ask whether forcing children to sing One Britain One Nation at school is the way to head off the threat of Scottish independence.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Terminus Date 2: Judgement Day, and meet Mr Oxlong Jun 18, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the unsurprising postponement of the end of Covid restrictions, the latest dispatch from the keyboard of Dominic Cummings and GB News' much-vaunted launch falling foul of some Bart Simpson-style pranks.
Plus we ask whether Denmark's footballers should have played on after Christian Eriksen's collapse, a Magdalen College mea culpa and some red-hot ice-skating chat.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Seven go to Cornwall, and on your Marx for the Euros Jun 11, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the G7 Summit in Cornwall, the removal of the Queen's portrait from an Oxford college and whether England's footballers are really taking the knee due to a 19-century German philosopher.
Plus there's the government's dodgy Covid deals, The Sun's continuing obsession with covering the coronavirus crisis through the prism of pubs and more cultural tips to get you through the weekend.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Freedom Day and the flicks Jun 04, 2021

Richard Porritt, Matt Withers and Cash Boyle return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the potential postponement of the next stage of lockdown lifting, Brexiteer Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin's calls for more EU migration to staff his pubs and next year's bonus bank holiday.
Film critic Michael Joyce joins us to recommend what to see at the cinema this summer before they're all shut down again.
Plus talk of turning 30, provincial nightclubs and Freddy Marks from Rod, Jane and Freddy (RIP).
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Hating Peter Tatchell, and believing Dominic Cummings? May 28, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss Dominic Cummings' marathon assault on the government's coronavirus handling and Rob Roberts, the suspended sex pest MP who has dodged a by-election.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell joins us to talk about the LGBT movement, coping with threats and his new Netflix documentary, Hating Peter Tatchell.
And we share more tips for the best in culture - including a film in an actual cinema.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Planes, trains and automation May 21, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the confusion over the government's traffic light system for foreign travel, the surprise return of British Rail and the prospect of a tariff-free trade deal with Australia.
Labour MP Jon Cruddas joins us to talk about the future of work, his party's fortunes and his new book The Dignity of Labour.
The team share their trips for holidaying in Britain should South Georgia prove a logistical leap too far. And there's a quiz to see whether you should be entitled to UK citizenship.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Jackie Weaver has the authority (but Keir Starmer hasn't) May 14, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the contents of the Queen's Speech, the aftermath of last week's election results and, in Cash and Burn, the EU citizens left in limbo.
Chief officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils turned viral video sensation and now Brits star Jackie Weaver joins us to talk local democracy, her new podcast and whether she's heading for the Strictly dancefloor.
And we share more tips for the best in culture to get you through what remains of lockdown.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

The strange death of Change UK and why gossip is good May 07, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss Boris Johnson sending patrol vessels to Jersey, Donald Trump's extended Facebook ban and, in Cash and Burn, the reinstatement of the Atlanta police officer who was fired after fatally shooting Rayshard Brooks.
Former Labour-turned-Change-UK MP Mike Gapes joins us to talk about the short life and death of the centrist breakaway group, while Eshin Jolly of Dartmouth College tells us about his research showing why gossip is actually good for you.
And having consumed nothing cultural in the past seven days, the team look ahead to an all-English Champions League final.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Call My Agent! and Superstore Apr 30, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss Boris Johnson's various ongoing controversies, Arlene Foster's defenestration as DUP leader and Northern Ireland's first minister and, in Cash and Burn, the UK government slashing its funding to the UN's global family planning programme.
Election agent William Cooper joins us to explain what election agents actually do ahead of next week's Super Thursday polls, while Gareth Wild tells us how he became a global sensation by spending six years parking his car in every spot of the Bromley Sainsbury's car park.
And we share more tips for the best in culture to get you through what remains of lockdown.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Super League and Super Thursday Apr 23, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the short-lived European Super League, Boris Johnson's textual intercourse with James Dyson and the conviction of Derek Chauvin for the killing of George Floyd.
Geri Scott, Westminster correspondent for the Yorkshire Post, joins us to look ahead to next month's English council and mayoral elections, and to say goodbye to the government briefings that never were.
And we share our tips for the best in culture to get you through what remains of lockdown.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Diversity, royalty and caterpillars at war Apr 16, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the death of Prince Philip and the wall-to-wall media coverage, Shirley Williams passing away at 90 and the growing Greensill lobbying scandal.
Irish computer scientist Sheree Atcheson joins us to talk about her new book Demanding More: Why Diversity and Inclusion Don't Happen and What You Can Do About It.
And we analyse the court battle of the year: Colin the Caterpillar v Cuthbert the Caterpillar.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger
Buy Sheree Atcheson's book here

Reopening pubs, football politics and the strange case of Northern Ireland Apr 09, 2021

Matt Withers and Cash Boyle return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the vaccine roll-out, public confidence and the reopening of pubs with holidaying host Richard Porritt and Abbie Carter from Norwich's Last Pub Standing.
Laura McAllister, professor of public policy at Cardiff University's School of Law and Politics and former Wales football captain, tells us why she's standing for FIFA Council and what to expect from next month's Senedd election.
And we examine Northern Ireland's riots and why they're being largely ignored by the British media.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger
Find out more about Norwich's Last Pub Standing here
And more about Laura McAllister's FIFA Council campaign here

Kicking bishops, the History Boys and a year of Keir Apr 02, 2021

Matt Withers and Cash Boyle return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss Freedom Monday and its ensuing litterbug frenzy, and look back on Keir Starmer's first year as leader of the Labour Party.
Teenage podcasters Charlie Gordon and Jonah Howe join us to tell us how they've managed to coax some of the country's leading historians into appearing on their show, while holidaying host Richard Porritt dials in from a rowing trip to explain why much of the media is ignoring Jennifer Arcuri's allegations about the PM's indiscretions.
And in an Easter special Cash and Burn, Cash spreads a little goodwill.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger
Charlie and Gordon's podcast, The Historic Present, can be found here

The Superbowl, the Wimbledon singles finals and the FA Cup final all rolled into one Mar 26, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss a year of lockdown, Priti Patel's latest asylum wheeze, whether greed is good and, for some reason, The Gap Band's 1979 funk anthem Oops Up Side Your Head.
Conservative peer and polling expert Robert Hayward joins us to look ahead to Super Thursday - May's unprecedented day of Scottish, Welsh and local elections right across the country.
And those MPs who voted down an amendment which would have seen leaseholders protected from historic fire safety defect bills get well and truly Cashed and Burned.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

Once Upon A Time... In Holyrood, and Digital From Dusk Till Dawn Mar 19, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the Met's response to the Sarah Everard vigil and how it could have been handled better.
Journalist and commentator James Millar joins us to tell us what to look out for in May's Scottish Parliament election and its aftermath, while Robert Wigley, chairman of UK Finance, pops by to explain how young people born in the age of the internet are very different to previous generations.
There's discussion of the real victim of social distancing - Wally of Where's Wally fame - and footballers with unexpected accents. And the idea of placing undercover cops in nightclubs gets well and truly Cashed and Burned.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger
Find out all about James Millar, his books and his podcasts by clicking here
And to buy Robert Wigley's book Born Digital and ensure the profits go to charities which support adolescent wellbeing online, click here

The one percent, THAT interview and the fight to rejoin the EU Mar 12, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers return to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss the government's 1% pay rise offer for NHS staff, the explosive Harry and Meghan interview, kids finally getting back to school and, for some reason, the current whereabouts of Dominik Diamond.
Richard Hewison, London mayoral candidate for the Rejoin EU Party, joins us to explain why we should return to the bloc while telling us he doesn't expect to make it to City Hall.
And conversion therapy gets well and truly Cashed and Burned.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger

The Budget, The Accidental President and why voting makes us sad Mar 05, 2021

Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers reunite to bring you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests in The New Normal.
This week they discuss Rishi Sunak's Budget, a publicity-shy couple in California and the return of yoof channel BBC Three.
James Fletcher, director of new Donald Trump documentary The Accidental President, tells us exactly how the reality star made it to the Oval Office, while Nicolas Schreiner from the University of Basel joins us to talk about his research on how elections really do make people miserable.
And Pontins gets well and truly Cashed and Burned.
Music: 8 Bit Sauce by Mikey Geiger
The Accidental President is available to rent and buy on Apple TV+, Amazon, iTunes, Google Play and YouTube now

Coming soon: The New Normal Feb 26, 2021

Welcome to The New Normal. Each Friday the former New European podcast gang Richard Porritt, Cash Boyle and Matt Withers will be bringing you the week’s news, politics, gags, gaffes and guests. We will be here to hold your hand as the nation steps out of the Covid darkness, rubs its eyes, blinks and takes the first tentative steps towards The New Normal.
Launches March 5, 2021

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