Freya.

Freya Leach sits down with Claire Lehmann, founder of Quillette, to examine some of the most contested cultural and political questions shaping the modern West.

Drawing on psychology, philosophy, and public policy, Lehmann explores the growing influence of female-led activism, the moral frameworks that underpin it, and the ways in which compassion—while essential—can be co-opted by ideological movements. The discussion considers how shifts in gender dynamics are affecting institutions, from universities to the legal system, and whether an overemphasis on care risks undermining principles such as fairness, objectivity, and truth.Claire Lehmann is the founder and editor of Quillette, an international publication known for long-form analysis on culture, politics, and science. Trained in psychology, she has written extensively on ideology, social dynamics, and the intellectual trends shaping contemporary public life. Her work has appeared in The Australian and other major outlets, and she is widely regarded as a leading voice in debates around free speech, liberalism, and the future of Western societies.

Freya Leach breaks down the shocking ANU study showing young Australians are losing faith in democracy — only 43% of 18–24s and just 22% of non-uni youth say democracy is always preferable.She connects the dots: mass immigration without integration is balkanising Australia, creating sectarian voting blocs and eroding the shared national identity democracy needs.Plus the latest Iran war update — Mojtaba Khamenei takes over as Supreme Leader, regime still standing, but Israel and the US have devastated Iran’s military capabilities in record time. And at home, government spending has hit a near-record 28% of the entire economy, with 80% of all new jobs coming from the public sector and the NDIS spiralling toward $100 billion.Is Australia heading toward socialism and democratic decline?

Join Freya Leach on her show Freya for John Anderson Media, with a wide-ranging examination of the cultural, geopolitical and moral crises shaping the West. Drawing on her background in Australian politics, policy development and media, Freya challenges many of the assumptions underpinning modern Western society — from moral relativism, feminism, geopolitics, social fabric and migration policy. Empathy and tolerance, she argues, cannot replace truth and justice without weakening the civilisational foundations that sustain freedom, social cohesion and human flourishing.This first episode of Freya turns to the unfolding conflict in Iran, analysing the recent U.S. and Israeli strikes on the Iranian regime and what they mean for regime stability, deterrence and the broader Middle East. Is this regime change or regime alteration? What signal does it send to China regarding Taiwan? Freya also examines the reaction of Australia’s national broadcaster, the ABC, and the wider Western media response, raising questions about bias, national interest and the defence of democratic allies.The discussion then broadens to domestic pressures in Australia: mass immigration, housing affordability, net overseas migration, international students and temporary visa pathways, and their impact on the housing crisis. With reference to national security concerns, ISIS-linked radicalisation, social cohesion and border policy, Freya argues that economic strain and cultural fragmentation are not isolated problems but interconnected outcomes of long-standing political decisions.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------00:00 Intro01:00 The lies the West believe5:29 How the West reacted to Iran16:40 The problem with mass immigration28:34 ISIS brides in Australia32:05 IS style attacks on LGBT men in Australia