In Our Time Podcast
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.
Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 1527, and the political intrigue of the Russian Revolution. Those fascinated by the lives of kings and queens can journey to Versailles to meet Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV the Sun King, or to Ancient Egypt to meet Cleopatra and Nerfertiti. Or perhaps you’re looking to explore the history of religion, from Buddhism’s early teachings to the Protestant Reformation.
If you’re interested in the stories behind iconic works of art, music and literature, dive in to discussions on the artistic genius of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Van Gogh’s famous Sunflowers. From Gothic architecture to the works of Shakespeare, each episode of In Our Time offers new insight into humanity’s cultural achievements.
Those looking to enrich their scientific knowledge can hear episodes on black holes, the Periodic Table, and classical theories of gravity, motion, evolution and relativity. Learn how the discovery of penicillin revolutionised medicine, and how the death of stars can lead to the formation of new planets.
Lovers of philosophy will find episodes on the big issues that define existence, from free will and ethics, to liberty and justice. In what ways did celebrated philosophers such as Mary Wollstonecraft and Karl Marx push forward radical new ideas? How has the concept of karma evolved from the ancient Sanskrit texts of Hinduism to today? What was Plato’s concept of an ideal republic, and how did he explore this through the legend of the lost city of Atlantis?
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
Episodes to download
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Literary Modernism
Thu 26 Apr 2001
Melvyn Bragg examines the movement that embraced Joyce, DH Lawrence and Virginia Woolf.
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The Glorious Revolution
Thu 19 Apr 2001
Melvyn Bragg considers whether the events of 1688 were really glorious or revolutionary.
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Black Holes
Thu 12 Apr 2001
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Black Holes, the ghosts of massive stars.
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The Roman Empire's Collapse in the 5th century
Thu 5 Apr 2001
The causes and events of the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century.
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The Philosophy of Love
Thu 29 Mar 2001
Melvyn Bragg examines the western understanding of the Philosophy of Love since Plato.
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Fossils
Thu 22 Mar 2001
The significance of fossils in history and the impact of techniques in understanding them.
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Shakespeare's Life
Thu 15 Mar 2001
Melvyn Bragg and guests consider the enigma of the life of William Shakespeare
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Money
Thu 1 Mar 2001
Melvyn Bragg examines whether economic factors really are behind all historical events.
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Quantum Gravity
Thu 22 Feb 2001
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 20th century attempts to understand the Quantum world.
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The Restoration
Thu 15 Feb 2001
Melvyn Bragg looks at the reign of Charles II and the consequences of the Restoration.
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Imperial Science
Thu 1 Feb 2001
Melvyn Bragg examines whether agriculture or trade drove 19th century British imperialism.
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Science and Religion
Thu 25 Jan 2001
Melvyn Bragg explores the areas of conflict and agreement between science and religion.
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The Enlightenment in Britain
Thu 18 Jan 2001
Melvyn Bragg examines the role of British thinkers in the 18th century Enlightenment.
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Mathematics and Platonism
Thu 11 Jan 2001
Melvyn Bragg examines whether mathematics is a process of invention or of discovery.
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Gothic
Thu 4 Jan 2001
Melvyn Bragg examines the origins and significance of the 18th century Gothic movement.
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Psychoanalysis and Literature
Thu 9 Nov 2000
Melvyn Bragg assesses the role of Freudian analysis in understanding literature.
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Evolutionary Psychology
Thu 2 Nov 2000
Melvyn Bragg explores the basis and context for the ideas of Evolutionary Psychology.
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The Tudor State
Thu 26 Oct 2000
Melvyn Bragg looks at the re-shaping of England as a modern state by the Tudor dynasty.
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Laws of Nature
Thu 19 Oct 2000
Melvyn Bragg considers whether what is true in physics is true in all areas of existence.
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The Romantics
Thu 12 Oct 2000
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the ideals, exponents and legacy of Romanticism.
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Hitler in History
Thu 5 Oct 2000
Melvyn Bragg examines Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany though historiographical theories.
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London
Thu 28 Sep 2000
The history of London from its Neolithic origin to the digitalised capital city of today.
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Imagination and Consciousness
Thu 29 Jun 2000
Melvyn Bragg investigates how neuroscience can explain the enigmas of consciousness.
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Biography
Thu 22 Jun 2000
Melvyn Bragg examines why the public is fascinated with the private lives of individuals.
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Inspiration and Genius
Thu 15 Jun 2000
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the true meaning of genius and whether it is born or made.
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The Renaissance
Thu 8 Jun 2000
Melvyn Bragg explores the veracity of modern claims about the culture of the Renaissance.
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The American Ideal
Thu 1 Jun 2000
Melvyn Bragg and guests examine the ideals that underwrite the idealism of America.
In Our Time podcasts
Download programmes from the huge In Our Time archive.
The In Our Time Listeners' Top 10
If you’re new to In Our Time, this is a good place to start.
Arts and Ideas podcast
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