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.