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Podcast

A weekly reflection on a topical issue.

Updated: weekly
Episodes available: indefinitely

Episodes to download

  •

    States of Confusion

    Fri 3 Feb 2017

    Will Self on why we really should spend time worrying about why we are here.

  • Teaching to the test

    Fri 27 Jan 2017

    Will Self says it's time to end "teaching to the test".

  • The Fourth Plinth

    Fri 20 Jan 2017

    Will Self on the role of public art projects like the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square.

  • Re-launching National Service

    Fri 13 Jan 2017

    Will Self argues for the re-introduction of National Service.

  • The fun of work - really?

    Fri 6 Jan 2017

    Will Self on how the worlds of work and education have become seamlessly merged.

  • The Shape Of Our Time

    Fri 30 Dec 2016

    Adam Gopnik explores the differences between patriotism and nationalism.

  • Word of 2016: People

    Fri 23 Dec 2016

    Howard Jacobson searches for his Word of the Year.

  • "Baby It's Cold Outside"

    Fri 16 Dec 2016

    Adam Gopnik on the controversy surrounding the Christmas song Baby It's Cold Outside.

  • Holes in Clothes

    Fri 9 Dec 2016

    Adam Gopnik reflects on the greater significance of designer holes in jeans!

  • Bob Dylan and the Bobolaters

    Fri 2 Dec 2016

    Adam Gopnik reflects on Bob Dylan's predictable lack of gratitude towards his Nobel Prize.

  • A Liberal Credo

    Fri 25 Nov 2016

    Adam Gopnik muses on liberals and liberalism.

  • The Week Gone By

    Fri 18 Nov 2016

    Adam Gopnik asks how America can preserve a liberal, open society.

  • The Trump Card

    Fri 11 Nov 2016

    Roger Scruton assesses some of the reasons behind Donald Trump's victory.

  • America Votes

    Fri 4 Nov 2016

    Adam Gopnik reflects on why he believes a Trump victory would be a disaster for America.

  • In Praise of Prophets of Doom

    Fri 28 Oct 2016

    Howard Jacobson argues that dissatisfaction with life is essential.

  • Shylock's Mock Appeal

    Fri 21 Oct 2016

    Howard Jacobson applauds the granting of an appeal by Shylock in a mock trial in Venice.

  • In Praise of Difficulty

    Fri 14 Oct 2016

    Howard Jacobson applauds Tom Stoppard's attack on the ignorance of the average audience.

  • Whoop!

    Fri 7 Oct 2016

    Howard Jacobson deplores the fashion for 'whooping' as a mark of approval.

  • Against Safe Spaces

    Fri 30 Sep 2016

    John Gray reflects on the controversial 'space spaces' policy in universities.

  • The Real Meaning of Trump

    Fri 23 Sep 2016

    John Gray assesses what lies behind the Trump phenomenon.

  • Who Cares About Independence?

    Fri 16 Sep 2016

    Wheelchair user, Tom Shakespeare, on what it feels like to be dependent on others.

  • My Idea of Heaven

    Fri 9 Sep 2016

    John Gray muses on what his idea of heaven is - and why it shouldn't be a perfect world.

  • Every Dog Has His Day

    Fri 26 Aug 2016

    Tom Shakespeare reflects on how dogs can teach us a capacity for contentment.

  • Finding Our Roots

    Fri 19 Aug 2016

    Will Self reflects on the joys of genealogy.

  • What's wrong with modern art?

    Fri 12 Aug 2016

    Will Self explores what is wrong with contemporary art.

  • Act Your Age

    Fri 5 Aug 2016

    Will Self explains why he finds it hard to always act his age.

  • Canaries in the Coal Mine

    Fri 29 Jul 2016

    Tom Shakespeare gives a very personal view of prenatal screening.

  • Being English

    Fri 22 Jul 2016

    The writer AL Kennedy reflects on Englishness.

  • Facts Not Opinions

    Fri 15 Jul 2016

    AL Kennedy ponders the importance of facts, in a world dominated by opinion.

  • Brexit and our cultural identityAfter the Vote

    Fri 15 Jul 2016

    5/5 The historian Mary Beard reflects on whether Brexit will change our cultural identity.

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