Free Thinking Episodes Episode guide
-
Neil Jordan, Flat Time House, Teletubbies
With Neil Jordan on his novel, a visit to Flat Time House and 20 years of the Teletubbies.
-
Partition, Mohsin Hamid, Gurinder Chadha
With author Mohsin Hamid, a discussion about Partition and director Gurinder Chadha.
-
Japan Now Festival at the British Library
Christopher Harding with writers Alex Kerr and Yoko Tawada, and film-maker Momoko Ando.
-
'Play' in urban design, Gillian Allnutt
Philip Dodd considers the importance of 'play' in the way our city centres are designed.
-
Soil Stories Old and New
Elizabeth-Jane Burnett, Jules Pretty, Andrew Scott, Philip Coupland, Matthew Kelly
-
Shakespeare in cartoons, Jess Phillips, Sidney Nolan's Australian legends
Anne McElvoy hears from cartoonists and curators about creating memorable images.
-
Hull: A trip down memory lane
Matthew Sweet explores music, art and drama in Hull, the city where he grew up.
-
Paolozzi, Daniel Dennett
Philip Dodd explores the art of Paolozzi and talks about consciousness with Daniel Dennett
-
Rude Valentines. Neil Gaiman, Translating China's Arts
Neil Gaiman talks Norse myths with Rana Mitter. And a look at the ugly side of Valentines
-
Professor Paul Gilroy
Philip Dodd is in extended conversation about culture and race with Professor Paul Gilroy.
-
Robots, Makt Myrkranna
Matthew Sweet and guests discuss the implications of our increasing reliance on robotics.
-
Russian Art and Revolution
Anne McElvoy and her guests assess the role and legacy of art in the Russian Revolution.
-
Borders: On the ground, on the map, in the mind
Writers and an artist talk borders from Ireland to Turkey with Anne McElvoy.
-
Global anger and family conflict with Pankaj Mishra and Elif Shafak.
With a discussion about anger, Elif Shafak's new novel and a debate about Trumpism.
-
Caribbean Culture
Joshua Jelly-Schapiro, Colin Grant and Kei Miller discuss the Caribbean with Matthew Sweet
-
Yaa Gyasi, Daniel Levitin, Peter Bazalgette, James Bartholomew on clarity, civility and strong states
Philip Dodd presents, with debates about empathy, rigorous thinking and the welfare state.
-
Davos Discussions, Shobana Jeyasingh, Barbers in concentration camps
Anne McElvoy explores topics discussed at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.
-
Oscar Nominations 2017, T2 Trainspotting
On the day of the Oscar nominations, Matthew Sweet and guests consider 2016 in film.
-
Victorian Bodies, Citizens of Everywhere
Rana Mitter discusses Victorian bodies and the Citizens of Everywhere arts project.
-
The Influence of the British Black Art Movement
Artists Sonia Boyce, Isaac Julien, Eddie Chambers and Harold Offeh talk to Anne McElvoy.
-
The War of the Worlds sequel, Eimear McBride
Including the sequel to HG Wells's The War of the Worlds and 'experimental' novels.
-
Chibundu Onuzo, Nadeem Aslam, Lockwood Kipling's Art
Anne McElvoy explores novels set in Pakistan and Nigeria. Plus the art of Lockwood Kipling
-
Running
Shahidha Bari and Laurence Scott debate the art and rhythms of running.
-
La La Land and Hollywood - past and present
Matthew Sweet and guests discuss Hollywood and its self-obsession.
-
Breaking Free: Karl Kraus
Philip Dodd and guests discuss the satire and contemporary relevance of writer Karl Kraus.
-
Patriotism: The Union Jack
Anne McElvoy explores the history and future of the Union Jack.
-
Patriotism: China, Russia, Japan, Latin America
Rana Mitter and guests debate the meaning of patriotism beyond the west.
-
Patriotism: Alain Finkielkraut, Karim Miske
Alain Finkielkraut and Karim Miske talk to Philip Dodd about French identity.
-
Calling to Account: Bronwen Maddox, Margaret Hodge, Matthew Parris
Anne McElvoy asks if public enquiries are good government. Plus Matthew Parris on scorn.
-
John Simpson on the death of the war correspondent
Philip Dodd and guests consider what we mean by 'news' in 2016.