<description>&lt;p&gt;In this special Christmas episode, Helen’s annual Guru Quiz returns, lightly dusted with Trump, podcast tours, and the unsettling realisation that the Guru-sphere and the MAGA-sphere have quietly fused into a single, monetised, vibes-based organism. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;That's right, the regular decoding team are joined by renowned journalist, author, podcaster... and occasional DTG quiz master, Helen Lewis, who once again brings her festive cheer, an uncanny ability to identify exactly who will be unbearable next year, and a quiz designed to torture Matt.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Points are awarded, dignity is lost, and Matt briefly considers revising for the quiz before remembering that preparation has never helped him before.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The episode also covers MAGA and UK political manoeuvres, the movers and shakers of the Gurusphere in 2025, and a lament for the collapse of the ancient boundary between editorial content and hawking pants.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So join us for a festive episode about gurus, geniuses, authoritarian comedy festivals, and the slow erosion of shame. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night... and that includes you, Bubbles!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Links&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://helenlewis.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Helen Lewis on Substack&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/10/fear-laughing-riyadh-comedy-louis-ck/684527/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Helen's Article on the Riyadh Comedy Festival&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/12/olivia-nuzzi-memoir/685106/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;Helen's Article on Olivia Nuzzi's Book&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.amazon.com/Genius-Myth-Curious-History-Dangerous/dp/B0DX9W74SZ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;The Genius Myth&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.instagram.com/reels/DPT-VPbjggk/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt;That Dave Chappelle picture&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;br/&gt;</description>

Decoding the Gurus

Christopher Kavanagh and Matthew Browne

DTG Christmas Quiz 2025 with Helen Lewis

DEC 22, 202586 MIN
Decoding the Gurus

DTG Christmas Quiz 2025 with Helen Lewis

DEC 22, 202586 MIN

Description

In this special Christmas episode, Helen’s annual Guru Quiz returns, lightly dusted with Trump, podcast tours, and the unsettling realisation that the Guru-sphere and the MAGA-sphere have quietly fused into a single, monetised, vibes-based organism. That's right, the regular decoding team are joined by renowned journalist, author, podcaster... and occasional DTG quiz master, Helen Lewis, who once again brings her festive cheer, an uncanny ability to identify exactly who will be unbearable next year, and a quiz designed to torture Matt.Points are awarded, dignity is lost, and Matt briefly considers revising for the quiz before remembering that preparation has never helped him before.The episode also covers MAGA and UK political manoeuvres, the movers and shakers of the Gurusphere in 2025, and a lament for the collapse of the ancient boundary between editorial content and hawking pants.So join us for a festive episode about gurus, geniuses, authoritarian comedy festivals, and the slow erosion of shame. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night... and that includes you, Bubbles!LinksHelen Lewis on SubstackHelen's Article on the Riyadh Comedy FestivalHelen's Article on Olivia Nuzzi's BookThe Genius MythThat Dave Chappelle picture