{"podcast":{"title":"heretics. | andrew gold","slug":"heretics-290695","podcast_index_feed_id":290695,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/GLSS2824816450","website_url":"http://andrewgoldheretics.com","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/10964fb2-82be-11ec-9292-97b52fd40f1c/image/fd308f102dfd36410f63216ce46c84a7.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"Andrew Gold","episode_count":689,"summary":"Journalist Andrew Gold talks to everyone from cult defectors and politicians to mainstream celebrities - people who’ve challenged the expected script and lived with the consequences. Formerly known as Heretics, guests include Robbie Williams, Paul Gascogine, Chris Packham, Chris Williamson, David Baddiel, Richard Dawkins, Bonnie Blue, and former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-21T06:20:31.702765+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/heretics-290695"},"episode":{"title":"659. The Dark Medical Scandal Elites Are Hiding","slug":"659-the-dark-medical-scandal-elites-are-hiding","published_at":"2026-06-04T16:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/heretics-290695/659-the-dark-medical-scandal-elites-are-hiding","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/heretics-290695","url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/OTEP3255080986.mp3","audio_url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/OTEP3255080986.mp3","summary":"This is one of the most devastating scandals I've heard. My must-watch moments are: 1. Michael reaching out to the NHS - 3:50 2. Ritchie Herron saving Michael's life - 24:10 3. Coming home after 2 years of silence - 50:10 Follow Michael Kerr: https://x.com/Michaelwk20 SPONSORS: Go to https://boncharge.com and use code HERETICS to save 15%. Go to https://surfshark.com/heretics for 4 extra months of Surfshark Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code andrewgold at checkout. Download Saily app or go to https://saily.com/andrewgold Check Plaud UK: https://bit.ly/40Gzdh1 | US: https://bit.ly/475MQKe Notepro: https://bit.ly/479tWSR Organise your life: https://akiflow.pro/Heretics Earn up to 4 per cent on gold, paid in gold: https://www.monetary-metals.com/heretics/ Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at https://mintmobile.com/heretics Michael Kerr was a \"gold star\" gay man living in Glasgow when a devastating sexual assault shattered his sense of self. In the aftermath, struggling with PTSD and substance abuse, he turned to the NHS for help. Instead of exploring his trauma, he was fast-tracked through a system that affirmed his confusion as a \"gender identity\" issue. In this raw and unflinching interview, Michael reveals how a lack of safeguarding and a \"don't question, affirm\" policy nearly led him to irreversible surgery. He discusses the physical toll of five years on hormones, the moment Richie Heron’s story saved his life, and why he chose to walk away from a community that demanded he cut off his own family. Is the \"affirmation-only\" model protecting vulnerable people, or is it failing the very individuals it claims to save? Michael’s story is a powerful look at institutional accountability, the complexity of male trauma, and the courage it tak…","meta_description":"This is one of the most devastating scandals I've heard. My must-watch moments are: 1. Michael reaching out to the NHS - 3:50 2. Ritchie Herron saving Mic…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3557,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/heretics-290695/episodes/659-the-dark-medical-scandal-elites-are-hiding/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/heretics-290695/659-the-dark-medical-scandal-elites-are-hiding.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}