No Holds Barred Pod

By No Holds Barred Pod

Politics unpacked with Sal & Don. Breaking the news … before the news.

A twice-weekly roundup of UK and global politics, with regular features and special guests along the way. Claim to fame — Ja... more

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FAQs about No Holds Barred Pod:

How many episodes does No Holds Barred Pod have?

The podcast currently has 122 episodes available.

No Holds Barred Pod episodes:

July 20, 2026 EP 99 – AMERICAN HISTORY XXXL | Trump's fascism ramps up. Reform by-election woes. Burnham becomes leader.
EP 99 – AMERICAN HISTORY XXXL | Trump's fascism ramps up. Reform by-election woes. Burnham becomes leader.
No Holds Barred Pod, is Sal Dodgson and Don McGowan. Politics unpacked every week. News, politics and opinion. Serious and hilarious in equal measure.
We talked a lot about the USA in this episode. Trump has gone off the rails offering market insider information for massive sums of cash and Sal played a speech from Stephen Miller that could have easily been broadcast in 1939 Germany — utterly terrifying.
Farage officially registers for the Clacton by-election alongside 33 other joke candidates, including Laurence Fox.
And Andy Burnham is now the Labour leader who entered stage-right dancing to New Order. 👀
Strong language. Politics unpacked. Every week.

No Holds Barred Links
Our website: https://noholdsbarredpod.com
Buy some merch here: https://noholdsbarredpod.com/merch/

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-YouTube
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Apple
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/NoHoldsBarredPod

Don's Substack:https://donmcgowan333.substack.com/
Sal's Substack: https://substack.com/@salsnackered
Write to your MP: https://www.writetothem.com

Tieran Freedman on cycling into Palestine is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMWXKlJc4XM

Thanks, as always, to Zomby Pop on 𝕏 for our theme tune.
Contact us here:
𝕏 — @NoHoldsPod
𝔼 — [email protected]
...more
1h 11min
July 17, 2026 EP 98 – DATA DRAIN | Data Centre Water Use in a Drought. Ian Byrne — Hillsborough Hero. Tasmanian Terror.
EP 98 – DATA DRAIN | Data Centre Water Use in a Drought. Ian Byrne — Hillsborough Hero. Tasmanian Terror.
No Holds Barred Pod, is Sal Dodgson and Don McGowan. Politics unpacked every week. News, politics and opinion. Serious and hilarious in equal measure.
More Reform panic as Farage considers his future after Ann Widdecombe's murder. We discussed the insane energy and water usage of the country's hundreds of data centres [thanks Liam Cunningham for the heads-up]. Sal had a tale of Tasmanian terror, and we spoke about a final, respectful PMQs for Keir Starmer.
Strong language. Politics unpacked. Every week.

No Holds Barred Links
Our website: https://noholdsbarredpod.com
Buy some merch here: https://noholdsbarredpod.com/merch/

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-YouTube
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Apple
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/NoHoldsBarredPod

Don's Substack:https://donmcgowan333.substack.com/
Sal's Substack: https://substack.com/@salsnackered
Write to your MP: https://www.writetothem.com

Thanks, as always, to Zomby Pop on 𝕏 for our theme tune.
Contact us here:
𝕏 — @NoHoldsPod
𝔼 — [email protected]
...more
55min
July 14, 2026 EP 09 — DISCUSSIONS with Ollie MacKenzie — GDPR Chat
EP 09 — DISCUSSIONS with Ollie MacKenzie — GDPR Chat
No Holds Barred Pod, is Sal Dodgson and Don McGowan. Politics unpacked every week. News, politics and opinion. Serious and hilarious in equal measure.
We're back with a new episode of Discussions with Ollie MacKenzie, GDPR guru and data doyen. We talked through how GDPR impacts us in our daily lives and why, in Ollie's opinion, we should never need to consider it at all.
We covered all sorts of other areas as well, including the politics of it all and even Ofcom - it was a funny and wide-ranging discussion.
Strong language. Politics unpacked. Every week.

No Holds Barred Links
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-YouTube
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Apple

Don's Substack:https://donmcgowan333.substack.com/
Sal's Substack: https://substack.com/@salsnackered?
Write to your MP: https://www.writetothem.com

Thanks, as always, to Zomby Pop on 𝕏 for our theme tune.
Contact us here:
𝕏 — @NoHoldsPod
𝔼 — [email protected]
...more
55min
July 11, 2026 EP 97 – WELCOME TO CLACTON | By-Election Circus. Ann Widdecombe Murdered. Burnham Bluster.
EP 97 – WELCOME TO CLACTON | By-Election Circus. Ann Widdecombe Murdered. Burnham Bluster.
No Holds Barred Pod, is Sal Dodgson and Don McGowan. Politics unpacked every week. News, politics and opinion. Serious and hilarious in equal measure.
As we recorded, news broke of Ann Widdecombe's murder and as we ended the culprit had been arrested. Tragic and very, very odd.
We talked about Farage's resignation and the ensuing circus that has become the Clacton-on-Sea by-election circus. Burnham is saying yes to EVERYONE and Trump has started the war again because he's bored with the World Cup.
Strong language. Politics unpacked. Every week.

No Holds Barred Links
Our website: https://noholdsbarredpod.com
Buy some merch here: https://noholdsbarredpod.com/merch/

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-YouTube
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Apple
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/NoHoldsBarredPod

Don's Substack:https://donmcgowan333.substack.com/
Sal's Substack: https://substack.com/@salsnackered
Write to your MP: https://www.writetothem.com

Thanks, as always, to Zomby Pop on 𝕏 for our theme tune.
Contact us here:
𝕏 — @NoHoldsPod
𝔼 — [email protected]

...more
47min
July 07, 2026 EP 96 – POWER TENDS TO CORRUPT | Trump Ruins the World Cup. Farage's Annus Horibbilis. More Government Overreach.
EP 96 – POWER TENDS TO CORRUPT | Trump Ruins the World Cup. Farage's Annus Horibbilis. More Government Overreach.
No Holds Barred Pod, is Sal Dodgson and Don McGowan. Politics unpacked every week. News, politics and opinion. Serious and hilarious in equal measure.
Don was at Pride on Saturday and met MeatZine! We talked about media manipulation of our politics again. Murdoch has finally had enough of Farage and it shows. Trump's 250th DID NOT GO WELL. And those caps lock words are a gigantic understatement. Shabana Mahmood seems to be dragging the government into even more authoritarian spaces with the press.
And Trump has ruined the World Cup with his blatant corruption.
Strong language. Politics unpacked. Every week.

No Holds Barred Links
Our website: https://noholdsbarredpod.com
Buy some merch here: https://noholdsbarredpod.com/merch/

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-YouTube
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Apple
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/NoHoldsBarredPod

Don's Substack:https://donmcgowan333.substack.com/
Sal's Substack: https://substack.com/@salsnackered
Write to your MP: https://www.writetothem.com

Thanks, as always, to Zomby Pop on 𝕏 for our theme tune.
Contact us here:
𝕏 — @NoHoldsPod
𝔼 — [email protected]
...more
1h 5min
July 05, 2026 EP 95 – CONSPIRACY or THEORY | MKUltra, Burnham issue. Reform continues to tank
EP 95 – CONSPIRACY or THEORY | MKUltra, Burnham issue. Reform continues to tank.
No Holds Barred Pod, is Sal Dodgson and Don McGowan. Politics unpacked every week. News, politics and opinion. Serious and hilarious in equal measure.
Sal talks us through the latest unrestricted release of files about MKUltra and its ramifications on modern times. We spoke a lot about Burnham, and just where is he getting his cash for all of his policies. Was the No.10 of the north a long time in the coup planning?
Farage continues to flail. Is he waving or drowning?
Strong language. Politics unpacked. Every week.

No Holds Barred Links
Our website: https://noholdsbarredpod.com
Buy some merch here: https://noholdsbarredpod.com/merch/

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-YouTube
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Apple
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/NoHoldsBarredPod

Don's Substack:https://donmcgowan333.substack.com/
Sal's Substack: https://substack.com/@salsnackered
Write to your MP: https://www.writetothem.com

Thanks, as always, to Zomby Pop on 𝕏 for our theme tune.
Contact us here:
𝕏 — @NoHoldsPod
𝔼 — [email protected]
...more
1h 14min
July 03, 2026 EP 08 — DISCUSSIONS with Dan Hatton — News Agency
EP 08 — DISCUSSIONS with Dan Hatton — News Agency
No Holds Barred Pod, is Sal Dodgson and Don McGowan. Politics unpacked every week. News, politics and opinion. Serious and hilarious in equal measure.
We're back with a new episode of Discussions with Dan Hatton, creator and founder of News Agency, a daily news briefing that strips away the emotive partisan shroud that hangs over our media news.
Factual, non-emotive summaries of the day’s main stories. Analysis of how different news outlets frame the same news. Links to articles for optional further reading. Orientation support, with “what this affects” and “what to watch next” sections for each story.
We chatted about the issues facing the public in finding genuinely non-partisan news, the impact on mental health, social media and a whole lot more besides.
Strong language. Politics unpacked. Every week.

No Holds Barred Links
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-YouTube
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Apple

News Agency is here: https://www.news-agency.org

Don's Substack:https://donmcgowan333.substack.com/
Sal's Substack: https://substack.com/@salsnackered?
Write to your MP: https://www.writetothem.com

Thanks, as always, to Zomby Pop on 𝕏 for our theme tune.
Contact us here:
𝕏 — @NoHoldsPod
𝔼 — [email protected]
...more
33min
July 01, 2026 EP 94 – WINTER IS COMING | Burnham from THE NORTH, Farage is out in the cold.
EP 94 – WINTER IS COMING | Burnham from THE NORTH, Farage is out in the cold.
No Holds Barred Pod, is Sal Dodgson and Don McGowan. Politics unpacked every week. News, politics and opinion. Serious and hilarious in equal measure.
Well. Starmer is gone and Burnham is taking us all up to Madchester. Will it work? Sal and Don are not so sure. Lots of discussion about Andy Burnham of course, but Reform UK is teetering on its last legs. Who will deliver the final blow?
James Murray has managed to negotiate an end to the doctor's strikes. Finally.
We chatted about some crypto shenanigans as well and ended with a beautiful Foo Fighters cover version from the kids at the Bell Tower Beats of Anfield Road Primary School. We dare you not to shed a tear.
Strong language. Politics unpacked. Every week.

No Holds Barred Links
Our website: https://noholdsbarredpod.com
Buy some merch here: https://noholdsbarredpod.com/merch/

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-YouTube
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Apple
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/NoHoldsBarredPod

Don's Substack:https://donmcgowan333.substack.com/
Sal's Substack: https://substack.com/@salsnackered
Write to your MP: https://www.writetothem.com

Thanks, as always, to Zomby Pop on 𝕏 for our theme tune.
Contact us here:
𝕏 — @NoHoldsPod
𝔼 — [email protected]
...more
1h 9min
June 27, 2026 EP 93 – REFORM RUPTURE | Brexit is ten. Decline of Reform. Trump's failing health. Burnham.
EP 93 – REFORM RUPTURE | Brexit is ten. Decline of Reform. Trump's failing health. Burnham
No Holds Barred Pod, is Sal Dodgson and Don McGowan. Politics unpacked every week. News, politics and opinion. Serious and hilarious in equal measure.
Sal was flying solo in this episode, as Don's house is too hot for his laptop! He will be back next week though. Sal talked through the week's news, including Trump's ailing health, Reform is in turmoil and Andy Burnham isn't off to a great start.
We were both at the Rejoin march in London last Saturday and Sal gave an amazing speech in Parliament Square to kick things off. You can watch it here and see more from the other speakers — Neil Kinnock!
https://noholdsbarredpod.com/national-rejoin-march-2026/
Our closing video is a work of genius by MC Hammersmith, find him here: https://www.youtube.com/@MCHammersmith
Strong language. Politics unpacked. Every week.

No Holds Barred Links
Our website: https://noholdsbarredpod.com
Buy some merch here: https://noholdsbarredpod.com/merch/

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-YouTube
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Apple
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/NoHoldsBarredPod

Don's Substack:https://donmcgowan333.substack.com/
Sal's Substack: https://substack.com/@salsnackered
Write to your MP: https://www.writetothem.com

Thanks, as always, to Zomby Pop on 𝕏 for our theme tune.
Contact us here:
𝕏 — @NoHoldsPod
𝔼 — [email protected]

...more
27min
June 19, 2026EP 92 – BY-ELECTION BLUES | is Reform UK finished? Can Farage dig himself out of this hole?
EP 92 – BY-ELECTION BLUES | is Reform UK finished? Can Farage dig himself out of this hole?
No Holds Barred Pod, is Sal Dodgson and Don McGowan. Politics unpacked every week. News, politics and opinion. Serious and hilarious in equal measure.
Results are in, and Reform UK have failed in a big way. Three by-election losses in one night, not that you'd know it from our ludicrous media. They only want to topple another Prime Minister. Will it change anything?
Join us at the National Rejoin March tomorrow [if you're listening on day of release!].
Topics this episode:
Reform UK by-election losses
Pochin makes a huge faux-pas
Lee Anderson has botox
Is Burnham the answer
Trump is really struggling
Georgia Meloni has sparked a diplomatic incident over Trump's lies
Farage is in his hiding field
Nigel Farage and the £5 million question
Strong language. Politics unpacked. Every week.

No Holds Barred Links
Our website: https://noholdsbarredpod.com
Buy some merch here: https://noholdsbarredpod.com/merch/

YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-YouTube
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/NoHolds-Apple
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/NoHoldsBarredPod

Don's Substack:https://donmcgowan333.substack.com/
Sal's Substack: https://substack.com/@salsnackered
Write to your MP: https://www.writetothem.com

Thanks, as always, to Zomby Pop on 𝕏 for our theme tune.
Contact us here:
𝕏 — @NoHoldsPod
𝔼 — [email protected]
...more
45min

FAQs about No Holds Barred Pod:

How many episodes does No Holds Barred Pod have?

The podcast currently has 122 episodes available.