Renegade Report

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — Former leader of the opposition and ambassador to Argentina, Tony Leon is this episode’s guest. Tony gives his opinion of new President Cyril Ramaphosa, provides his view of the DA’s flirtation with populism, and makes a solid argument for the protection of basic rights like freedom of speech in light of the Momberg case. Jonathan probes whether the DA is in fact a liberal organisation, and Roman ponders if it’s time for a new party.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — The 39th best cartoonist in South Africa, Jeremy Nell, joins us this week. Jerm explains why he does not draw for many mainstream media publications anymore and describes his view of rising alternative media in this context. Roman rants about cowardly cartoonists and Jonathan takes on the insistence of the Left to malign their opposition instead of engaging with them.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — This episode plays host to US journalist Nick Monroe. The political shenanigans in South Africa have recently come under focus in light of government attempts to expropriate land. Nick provides insight into how those outside of the country view the situation. Jonathan discusses the ‘white genocide’ narrative and Roman delves into more detail around farm murders.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — Photojournalist and YouTuber, Shayne Robinson, joins the Renegade Report this week. Shayne runs a YouTube channel that promotes and shares quirky and interesting aspects of the city of Johannesburg. Jonathan enquires about all the lesser-known gems hidden in the city, and Roman ponders the slow traction YouTube seems to have in South Africa. Shayne speaks about his past as a photojournalist in Libya and Haiti, his reasons for leaving mainstream media, and all of the potential he sees in one of the world’s most interesting places.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — This episode hosts journalist and editor of The Knife, Jens Gould. Jens explains how and why his outlet aims to separate entertainment from news by applying critical thinking and logic. Roman explores the effect click harvesting has had on the quality of reporting, and Jonathan delves into issues of professionalism within journalism. Jens gives insight into the peer review process of analysis The Knife uses to establish the spin, slant and accuracy of every story they work on, which can be found at theknifemedia.com.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — On this episode of the podcast, Jonathan and Roman discuss the ANC and EFF’s decision to amend the Constitution in order to expropriate land without compensation. Roman laments the notion that this is merely about land and not about property rights as a whole, while Jonathan discusses the likely economic impact - especially on those without the means to escape this type of fascism. The hosts provide some advice and potential solutions to challenge the proposed land plan, and talk about the quiet move afoot to disarm the populace.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — Executive Director of UN Watch, Hillel Neuer, is the guest on this week’s episode. Mr Neuer explains why UN Watch was created and how the UN has been co-opted by dictators and human rights abusers. Roman ponders whether the UN is worth saving, and Jonathan questions the role of various offshoots within the larger parent body. Hillel reflects on the effect of Nikki Haley as US ambassador, and gives insight into the UN’s peculiar fascination with Israel.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — Entrepreneur, speaker and board game enthusiast... Rich Mulholland makes a return to The Renegade Report. Rich berates the hosts for their soft interview with a previous guest and what he views as a departure from the podcast’s central tenet. Jonathan takes heat and provides some explanation for his online behaviour, and Roman wants to know more about the art and industry of public speaking. Rich discusses the stupidity of outrage culture, Malcolm Gladwell being a letdown, and why futurists are the most useless people on the planet.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — This week the Renegade Report features Jerusalem Post journalist Lahav Harkov. Lahav speaks about the disingenuous nature of implying there is any kind of apartheid in Israel, the situation in the West Bank and Gaza, and the motivation the State has for its strict border security. Roman enquires about the significance of Donald Trump moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, and Jonathan explores some of the changing relationships in the Middle East between Israel and surrounding Arab countries. Ms Harkov speaks about anti-semitism in Europe, comments on immigration into Israel, and gives a well-laid argument for Zionism.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — Uber Head of Business for Subsaharan Africa, Justin Spratt joins the Renegades this week. Justin is deeply concerned about the lack of dialogue and meaningful conversations in South Africa. He has a new proposal to change that. Roman is interested in finding and supporting new and exciting public intellectuals, while Jonathan decries contemporary intellectuals and their lack of charity when dealing with ideological opponents.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — English Professor and ardent anti-feminist Janice Fiamengo is the guest on this episode of the Renegade Report. Janice reflects on the feminist movement of which she was once a part, and whether the core message has changed, or if it is now merely a more true reflection of what it always was. Roman explores the real-life effects of feminism, given that it is actually a poorly thought of and supported cause, and Jonathan delves into the dangerous and all encompassing Me Too movement. Prof. Fiamengo provides a historical view of feminism from the turn of the 20th century, laments the boogeyman of supposed oppression, and advocates for personal responsibility over a return to the Victorian era with regards to the treatment of women.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — This episode features Venezuelan guest and resident Christian Kaleb Caruzo. Christian gives a first hand account of the history and progression of Socialism in his country, including the role played by the notorious figure of Hugo Chavez. Roman explores the deepening crisis facing Venezuelans and Jonathan probes what, if any, rights remain for citizens. Christian is frank and blunt in setting out the dire situation he and his family face, trapped in a country with an oppressive and violent ideological regime.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — This week on the Renegade Report, the Renegades answer your questions! Find out what we think about Cyril Ramaphosa winning the elective conference, the reaction to our antinatalism debate, as well as our plans for 2018.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — This episode of the podcast hosts a debate between University of Cape Town Professor of Philosophy, David Benatar, and the University of Toronto’s Professor of psychology, Jordan B Peterson. David is a proponent of antinatalism, which posits that birth is an overall negative event and as such it follows that humans should stop procreating. Jordan considers this view antithetical to human existence, and a passionate discussion ensues.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — On this final episode of the podcast for the year, the hosts reflect back on 2017. Friend of the show, Nicholas Babaya, pops in to join the conversation. Roman is keen to rate Donald Trump and remind everyone of how great anarchy would be, while Jonathan considers the decline of mainstream media and what might come of the ANC’s elective conference.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — This episode plays host to former political speech writer turned consultant and election polling expert, Dawie Scholtz. He explains his voting models and the influencing factors in South Africa from geography to socio-economics to voter psychology. Roman is his usual impolite self about voters and democracy as he probes at the possible outcomes of the ANC elective conference and what this might mean for 2019. Jonathan queries the DA’s recent leftward moves and whether a more liberal party might knock them from their perch. Dawie further details the immaturity of the EFF which is driving voters away, the vacuum the SACP might be poised to fill, and why Mmusi Maimane is the right man for the Presidency.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — This episode of the show plays host to Institute of Economic Affairs' director of lifestyle economics, columnist and author Christopher Snowdon. Chris discusses many of the ideas expressed in his new book 'Killjoys', which looks at the paternalistic policies of governments in an attempt to save people from themselves. The discussion takes a hard look at the NHS, the war on schools to ban fast food, and the authoritarian attempts to control all the vices of the working class. Jonathan delves into the zealotry and colossal waste of funding that is public health, while Roman explores the evolving status of regulation around e-cigarettes. The conversation ultimately makes its way to the status of Brexit, Donald Trump's silly tweets, and show favourite Jacob Rees-Mogg.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — This episode sees the return of staunch libertarian Martin van Staden. Martin lays out his philosophical case for self-ownership, defends his position on open borders, and fleshes out his opposition to political pragmatism. Roman explores and defends Herman Mashaba’s policies on inner city buildings, while Jonathan finds common ground with the guest on foreign policy - including military interventionism.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — On this Renegade Report the hosts are joined by fearless writer of The Jaundiced Eye column, William Saunderson-Meyer. William has some choice words for the embattled news industry, hones in on the historical context for accurate journalism, and decries the click-based economics of modern media businesses. Roman explores the antique origins of fake news, and Jonathan bemoans the lack of political diversity in the contemporary media landscape.

Renegade Media — CliffCentral.com — The Renegade Report is joined by neuroscientist and columnist Dr Debra Soh on this instalment of the show. Debra describes the burgeoning field of sexual neuroscience, the need to keep science apolitical, and the importance of trying to answer even those questions which scare us. Jonathan queries the controversy around obvious male and female differences - despite the overwhelming evidence supporting this, and Roman probes the validity of functional MRI in being able to make exact truth claims. Dr Soh explains the significant influence of testosterone on brain formation and subsequently behaviour, the reason academics are fearful of stepping forward against bad ideas, and the role of paraphilias in sexual attraction.