The John Batchelor Show

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 regional negotiations. 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The FBI, Money Laundering, and the Russian Mob. Guest: Craig Unger. Unger interviews whistleblower Jonathan 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

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 leads. 14

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

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

One correction folded in: the guest is Mary Anastasia O'Grady (not "Anastasio") in file 15.

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 label as a dictatorship. The dialogue then shifts to the volatility of oil markets, contrasting human optimism during wartime with the harsh realities of historical conflicts. A significant portion of the exchange focuses on artificial intelligence, examining its ethical implications and the Catholic Church's concerns regarding its programmed neutrality. The speakers critique the influence of tech billionaires and the public resistance to physical data centers in local communities. Finally, they reflect on how AI may change human education and creativity, concluding that while it is a powerful tool, it remains in a primitive and imperfect stage.