Lean Out with Tara Henley

In July of 2020, in The New Statesman, my guest on today’s program wrote, “I fear that history will judge lockdown as a monumental mistake on a truly global scale.” At that time, there was surprisingly little debate over an unprecedented public health intervention.

But that dialogue is starting to happen now, and my guest’s recent book is one reason why.

Mark Woolhouse is a professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh. He’s also the author of The Year the World Went Mad: A Scientific Memoir.

Mark Woolhouse is my guest, today on Lean Out. Transcript to come for paid subscribers.

Lean Out with Tara Henley is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tarahenley.substack.com

This past week in Canada, a controversy erupted around the National Arts Centre’s plans to reserve an upcoming theatre performance for Black audience members, with many questioning why any organization would want to open the door for racial segregation, in any form. (And indeed, since this podcast was recorded, the NAC has issued an updated press release, indicating “everyone is welcome at all our shows.”)

It’s the latest example of a movement that, as my guest on today’s program argues, presents itself as progressive — when, in fact, its ideas are deeply regressive.

Andrew Doyle is a British broadcaster, writer, and comedian. He shot to fame with his satirical Twitter account, Titania McGrath, but has since become known for hosting the GB News show Free Speech Nation. His latest book is The New Puritans: How the Religion of Social Justice Captured the Western World.

Andrew Doyle is my guest, today on Lean Out. Transcript to come for paid subscribers.

Lean Out with Tara Henley is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tarahenley.substack.com

Without freedom of expression, there can be no great art. Artists must have the ability to express themselves fearlessly, and take risks, in order to create authentic work.

So, what happens when this fundamental value is eroded within our culture?

It’s a question that my guest on the podcast today has thought a lot about — and one he tackles in his first Substack newsletter, dedicated to a recent incident which saw London’s Field Day Festival rescind a booking request for the rapper M.I.A. in the wake of online comments.

Winston Marshall is a British musician, and a former member of the band Mumford & Sons. He’s also the host of the Marshall Matters podcast at The Spectator, and the author of a new Substack newsletter called The WinStack.

Winston Marshall is my guest, today on Lean Out. Transcript to come for paid subscribers.

Lean Out with Tara Henley is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tarahenley.substack.com

On the Lean Out podcast, we’ve talked a lot about the state of open debate in our society. The public conversation these days frequently involves highly contentious and nasty arguments — and science is no exception.

Michael Powell at The New York Times recently reported out one such example, involving the naming of a telescope after a late NASA head, and allegations of homophobia.

Several of the scientists behind the movement to rename the telescope have issued a statement since The New York Times piece came out, arguing that Powell “has attempted to transform a debate on the naming of JWST into one that raises ‘personal’ issues involving Professor Oluseyi.” You can read that statement in full here. 

Today, on the podcast, we’ll hear from the astrophysicist at the centre of this controversy.

Hakeem Oluseyi is the visiting Robinson Professor at George Mason University, and the president of the National Society of Black Physicists. He’s also the author of A Quantum Life: My Unlikely Journey from the Street to the Stars.

Hakeem Oluseyi is my guest, today on Lean Out. Transcript to come for paid subscribers.

Lean Out with Tara Henley is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tarahenley.substack.com

In recent weeks on the Lean Out podcast, we’ve been doing a deep dive into the rise of independent journalism, and looking at some of the big stories that independent journalists broke this past year.

My guest on today’s program, taped in December, saw several of her own pieces draw international attention in 2022 — including her reporting on the trucker convoy crisis in Ottawa, and, as we’ll discuss today, her reporting around Canada’s controversial Medical Assistance in Dying program, also known as MAID.

Rupa Subramanya is a staff writer at The Free Press, and a columnist at the National Post. Rupa Subramanya returns to the show, today on Lean Out.

Transcript to come for paid subscribers.

Lean Out with Tara Henley is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tarahenley.substack.com

One year ago today, the Lean Out podcast launched with an interview with the American journalist Batya Ungar-Sargon.

Now, 12 months later, Lean Out has listeners in 135 countries and 2900 cities. To mark this milestone — our first anniversary — I invited Batya back on the show to talk through some of the big stories of 2022.

Batya Ungar-Sargon is the deputy opinion editor at Newsweek, and the author of Bad News: How Woke Media Is Undermining Democracy.

I’m thrilled to have Batya Ungar-Sargon as my guest, to kick off a whole new year on the Lean Out podcast.

Lean Out with Tara Henley is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tarahenley.substack.com

Throughout the month of December, here on Lean Out, I’ve been having conversations with the independent journalists that I admire.

Today, I’m happy to welcome back to the podcast a writer and thinker whose work kept me sane during the pandemic.

Meghan Daum is an essayist and author. She’s a former columnist for the L.A. Times, host of The Unspeakable podcast, and with Sarah Haider, co-host of the podcast A Special Place In Hell.

Meghan Daum is my guest — for Lean Out’s last episode of 2022. Transcript to come for paid subscribers.

Lean Out with Tara Henley is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tarahenley.substack.com

Today is a day of rest and reflection for many of us — and, with any luck, of joy and gratitude and communal celebration as well.

With that in mind, we have a surprise bonus episode of Lean Out, featuring a special guest. He’s here to offer us all a little hope and inspiration for Christmas, and for the year to come.

Christopher White is the minister at Kedron United Church in Oshawa, Ontario, in the greater Toronto area.

I’m thrilled to have Reverend Christopher White as my guest, for this special Christmas Day episode of Lean Out.

Lean Out with Tara Henley is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tarahenley.substack.com

This month at Lean Out, I’ve been speaking with journalists that I admire — and having conversations about the state of the mainstream media, and the rise of the independent press.

My guest today runs an independent outlet in Ottawa, and she joins me to talk through some of the year’s biggest stories.

Holly Doan is an award-winning journalist, and the publisher and owner of Blacklock’s Reporter.

Holly Doan is my guest, today on Lean Out. Transcript to come for paid subscribers.

Lean Out did request comment from the Parliamentary Press Gallery on the recent eviction of Blacklock’s Tom Korski. You can read the statement it sent, in full, below.

The Press Gallery would like correct the record about a decision made last Friday regarding one of its members.

The Press Gallery Executive Committee received a complaint, from several members, of serious misconduct as defined in by-law No.10 of our Constitution, regarding a Gallery member, Tom Korski. The subcategory of serious misconduct at issue in the complaint was that set out in paragraph 2(b) of by-law No.10, which may be described as pertaining to harassing or otherwise inappropriate conduct by a member. The complaint did not pertain to any issue of journalistic practices or principles. The Executive considered the complaint in accordance with the Constitution and the procedures set out in theGallery’s “Complaint Procedures”.

A mediation process was offered, without, however, resolving the complaint.

Mr. Korski was given the opportunity to respond to the complaint, but the Executive did not receive any representations in that regard.

The Executive, after careful scrutiny of the facts alleged by the complainants, has determined that the complaint was well-founded and that the conduct complained-of constituted serious misconduct, as defined in paragraph 10(2)(b) of the Constitution, by the member concerned.

In determining whether any sanctions were required in light of its conclusions on the merits of the complaint, and if so, what sanctions would be appropriate, the Executive gave consideration to both the seriousness of the misconduct and the importance of protecting members who are using Gallery facilities from harassing or otherwise inappropriate conduct by other members. Accordingly, the Executive decided to prohibit the member mentioned in the complaint from having access to certain shared spaces managed by the Gallery, such as the Hot Room, Room 172-B in West Block, the Poliquin Lounge, and the 6th floor boardroom, for a period of 90 days.

The member in question still holds their membership status with the Press Gallery as well as their access card to enter parliamentary buildings for journalistic purposes and will therefore retain the ability to access the Chamber of the House of Commons, committees, and press conferences.

Contrary to certain accounts of these events circulating on social media, Mr. Korski was not escorted by a police officer off the Gallery premises, he was advised of the decision of the Executive andgiven to the end of the day to comply with the decision by leaving the premises.

Mr. Korski was notified of the decision by the president of the Press Gallery, Guillaume St-Pierre, accompanied by the vice-president, Louis Blouin, on Friday, December 2.

The media outlet with which Mr. Korski is associated, Blacklock’s Reporter, retains two members in the Press Gallery, including Mr. Korski. The decision in question pertains only to the access of Mr. Korski himself to Gallery facilities shared by other members.

Guillaume St-Pierre

President, Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery

Lean Out with Tara Henley is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tarahenley.substack.com

What does it mean to be politically homeless? My guest today describes herself this way, and jokes that her tribe is tribeless. I relate. A lot.

This month at Lean Out, I’ve been speaking with independent journalists who are changing the media landscape. Today’s guest is an opinion writer that always makes me think — and laugh.

Bridget Phetasy is a comedian, writer, and podcaster in Los Angeles. She’s a columnist and contributing editor at The Spectator, and host of the shows Dumpster Fire, Walk-Ins Welcome, and Factory Settings. Her Substack is Beyond Parody.

Bridget Phestasy is my guest, today on Lean Out. Transcript to come for paid subscribers.

Lean Out with Tara Henley is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tarahenley.substack.com