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Podcast

A weekly reflection on a topical issue.

Updated: weekly
Episodes available: indefinitely

Episodes to download

  •

    Modern-day Empires

    Fri 30 Mar 2018

    John Gray argues that the idea that empire has had its day is a delusion of our age.

  • The Rise and Rise of Up Lit

    Fri 23 Mar 2018

    Kamila Shamsie on the limitations of the publishing trend 'Up Lit'.

  • The True Mark of Civilisation?

    Fri 16 Mar 2018

    Kamila Shamsie explores the meaning of the word 'civilisation'.

  • Going Forward

    Fri 9 Mar 2018

    Tom Shakespeare tells us why he detests the phrase 'going forward'.

  • Teffi: Silver Shoes and the Dream of Revolution

    Fri 2 Mar 2018

    John Gray on why the work of Russian writer Teffi has become so relevant today.

  • The Dangers of a Higher Education

    Fri 23 Feb 2018

    John Gray argues that throughout history intellectuals have often made the worst decisions

  • The Trolley Problem

    Fri 16 Feb 2018

    AL Kennedy on how a thought experiment of the 1960s today risks being turned on its head.

  • Memento Mori

    Fri 9 Feb 2018

    AL Kennedy argues why it's empowering to reflect on our mortality.

  • Too Much Winning

    Fri 2 Feb 2018

    AL Kennedy argues that our 'winner-takes-all' mentality is suffocating democracy.

  • The Heart in Drama

    Fri 26 Jan 2018

    AL Kennedy on why Hollywood has never been a nice place.

  • Daring to Marvel

    Fri 19 Jan 2018

    Howard Jacobson on self-censoring and the language of appreciation.

  • On Misanthropy

    Fri 12 Jan 2018

    Howard Jacobson ponders why misanthropy is out of fashion.

  • The Last Bohemia

    Sun 7 Jan 2018

    Howard Jacobson on why we need to preserve Bohemia.

  • Dramatic Speech

    Fri 29 Dec 2017

    Howard Jacobson muses on the 'frozen wastes of Emojiland'.

  • In Praise of the Feuilleton

    Fri 22 Dec 2017

    Howard Jacobson on the art of the feuilleton and the joy of the ordinary.

  • The Novelist's Complicity

    Fri 15 Dec 2017

    Zia Haider Rahman reflects on the demise of the literary novel.

  • The Assault on Reason

    Fri 8 Dec 2017

    Zia Haider Rahman argues that reason itself is under assault in this 'post-truth' world.

  • A Folder Called 'Hope'

    Fri 1 Dec 2017

    Zia Haider Rahman on the abysmal race record of some of Britain's foremost institutions.

  • Macbeth and the Insomnia Epidemic

    Fri 24 Nov 2017

    Will Self reflects on the epidemic of sleeplessness.

  • Mass Myopia

    Fri 17 Nov 2017

    Will Self on the drawbacks of perfect vision.

  • The miserable pantomime of contemporary British vegetarianism

    Fri 10 Nov 2017

    Will Self on his conversion to vegetarianism.

  • Men Against Women

    Fri 3 Nov 2017

    Will Self says we need creative solutions to end institutional misogyny and abuse.

  • Ode to Space

    Fri 27 Oct 2017

    Will Self on why he loves space.

  • I hope this email finds you well...

    Fri 20 Oct 2017

    Mary Beard ponders why email is governed by so few rules and conventions.

  • The Battle for Free Speech

    Fri 13 Oct 2017

    Andrew Sullivan on the cultural Marxism he says is sweeping through US universities.

  • The Apocalypse Hasn't Happened Yet

    Fri 6 Oct 2017

    Andrew Sullivan says Donald Trump is teaching a generation to bully, slander and cheat.

  • The Triumph of Tribalism

    Fri 29 Sep 2017

    Andrew Sullivan on how America has become 'a truly tribal society'.

  • Talking of Empire

    Fri 22 Sep 2017

    Monica Ali on why she thinks the history of the British Empire must be taught in schools.

  • On authenticity

    Fri 15 Sep 2017

    Monica Ali reflects on the 'cult of authenticity'.

  • Tackling the moped menace

    Fri 8 Sep 2017

    Monica Ali reflects on the recent surge in moped crime after her son was attacked.

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