The LRB Podcast
Society & Culture
About
The LRB Podcast brings you weekly conversations from Europe’s leading magazine of culture and ideas, hosted by Thomas Jones and Malin Hay, and featuring our fortnightly 'On Politics' podcast hosted by James Butler. From the LRB Subscribe to the LRB: https://lrb.me/subslrbpod Close Readings podcast: https://lrb.me/crlrbpod LRB Audiobooks: https://lrb.me/audiobookslrbpod Bags, binders and more at the LRB Store: https://lrb.me/storelrbpod Get in touch: podcasts@lrb.co.uk
Episodes
- On Politics: The Fall of Orbán, the Rise of Magyar
This episode discusses the end of Viktor Orbán's tenure as Hungary's prime minister after his defeat by Péter Magyar. It explores the reasons behind Orbán's loss and the challenges Magyar faces in addressing corruption and improving the ec…
- James Lasdun's road trip to America's courts
In this episode of The LRB Podcast, James Lasdun recounts his American road trip to attend various criminal and civil trials. He shares his experiences and observations from courts across the country.
- On Politics: The Pope and the President
This episode of The LRB Podcast discusses the conflict between the Pope and the American right, examining papal authority and the evolving role of religion in public life. It features James, Massimo Faggioli, and Jack Hanson.
- The War in Lebanon
This episode discusses the war in Lebanon, focusing on direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli delegations. It explores life in Lebanon, Israel's strategic objectives, and Hezbollah's relationship with the Lebanese state, featuring Adam…
- Men Looking at Men
This episode features Tom Crewe and James Butler discussing their articles from the LRB. They explore the interplay between their pieces on the history of homosexuality, gay art, and archival interpretations.
- The philosophy of Virginia Woolf’s ‘To the Lighthouse’
In this episode, Jonathan and James discuss Virginia Woolf's novel 'To the Lighthouse,' exploring its philosophical dimensions. They consider the novel as a satirical portrait, a study of creative expression, and a mystical quest where for…
- On Politics: Iran and the Oil Crisis
This episode of The LRB Podcast features Helen Thompson discussing the shifting politics of oil, the impact of US-Iran tensions, and the implications for global energy security. The conversation covers how energy requirements influence int…
- Insulin Wars
This episode of The LRB Podcast discusses the history of diabetes treatments, from the discovery of insulin to modern medications like Ozempic. The conversation covers the scientific process behind these discoveries and the companies that…
- On Politics: Why you can’t change someone’s mind
In this episode of The LRB Podcast, Sarah Stein Lubrano and James Butler discuss effective ways to change minds in politics. They explore why debate may not be the most effective method and consider the roles of social ties, collective act…
- Ordinary Abuse
This episode of The LRB Podcast features Andrew O’Hagan and Susan Pedersen discussing observations from their reviews of Virginia Giuffre's memoir and the Epstein scandal. They explore whether the scandal reveals new insights about sexual…
- On Politics: Keir Starmer’s Mess
This episode discusses Keir Starmer's political challenges and his standing within the Labour Party. It explores various viewpoints on his leadership, including criticisms and defenses, and speculates on his future.
- What next in Iran?
Donald Trump's Iran strategy is discussed, including US and Israeli alignment in the region. The potential impact of Mojtaba Khamenei's appointment on the war and Iran's military strategy are also examined.
- Caravaggio’s Bodies
In this episode of The LRB Podcast, Erin Maglaque and Thomas Jones discuss Caravaggio's art. They focus on how the artist depicted bodies in his paintings, including details like muscles, skin, hair, and clothing, and the unsettling impact…
- On Politics: The Rearmament Consensus
This episode discusses the rearmament consensus in Europe, examining the reasons behind increased defense spending and the implications of Europe's militarisation. Guests Sam Jones and Anna Stavrianakis join James to explore these topics.
- Early Modern News
This episode of The LRB Podcast features John Gallagher and Thomas Jones discussing the movement of news and information in early modern Europe. They explore the efficiency of early postal systems and the organic spread of news through dif…
- On Politics: Mandelson and the Private Life of Power
This episode of The LRB Podcast features investigative journalists Peter Geoghegan and Ethan Shone discussing Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, as revealed by US Justice Department documents. They explore how Mandelson's…
- Jessica Mitford’s Handbag
Rosemary Hill and Thomas Jones discuss Jessica Mitford's life, focusing on her activism, writing, and complex family relationships. Kaplan's biography explores Mitford as an "American communist with an unusual background in the English ari…
- On Politics: A New Age of Protest in Iran
This episode of The LRB Podcast features Adam Shatz, Chowra Makaremi, and Amir Ahmadi Arian discussing the evolution of public dissent in Iran since 1979, the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement of 2022, and the economic factors contributing t…
- Buckley, MAGA’s Patron Saint
Thomas Meaney and Thomas Jones discuss William F. Buckley’s life and legacy. They explore his impact on the American right, including his views on segregation and imperialism, and how his work laid the groundwork for Trump’s political rise.
- On Politics: Venezuela and the Trump Doctrine
This episode of The LRB Podcast features historian Greg Grandin discussing the US military intervention in Venezuela. The conversation explores President Trump's justifications for the action and what it reveals about his foreign policy an…
- Will the AI bubble burst?
John Lanchester and Thomas Jones discuss the AI bubble, exploring the history of companies like Nvidia and OpenAI, and examining the potential harms of large language models. They question whether "artificial intelligence" is a misnomer an…
- What Don Quixote Knew
Tom McCarthy and Thomas Jones discuss Cervantes's novel Don Quixote in "The Man Behind the Curtain" series. They explore the narrative, theoretical, economic, psychological, and literal machinery underpinning the masterpiece.
- What Dickens taught Mariah Carey
This episode discusses Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol," focusing on its commercial impact, social commentary, and lasting relevance as a Christmas staple. It examines how Dickens utilized the story for both entertainment and critique…
- Is ‘Wuthering Heights’ amoral?
This episode of The LRB Podcast features David Trotter and Patricia Lockwood discussing Emily Brontë’s novel ‘Wuthering Heights’ with Thomas Jones. Trotter describes the novel as ‘completely amoral’. This episode is a release from the Clos…
- Who owns Judy Garland?
This episode of The LRB Podcast features Bee Wilson and Malin Hay discussing Judy Garland's career at MGM Studios, the challenges she faced, and the ownership of her story. They explore her iconic performances and the impact of her work de…
- On Politics: Inside Britain’s Asylum System
This episode of The LRB Podcast features Colin Yeo and Nicola Kelly discussing the politics of migration and Britain's asylum system. They examine changes in the system, 'small boats' crossings, and 'asylum hotels'.
- The Life and Death of a Photographer in Gaza
This episode features Sepideh Farsi discussing her film about Fatma Hassona, a Palestinian photographer from Gaza City. Farsi talks about her connection with Hassona and the challenges of documenting the impact of conflict in Gaza.
- Next Year on Close Readings: Realism, Nature, Narrative Poems and a history of London
The LRB Podcast announces four new Close Readings series for next year: "Who's Afraid of Realism?", "Nature in Crisis", "Narrative Poems", and "London Revisited". A bonus series, "The Man Behind the Curtain", will also be released. These s…
- On Politics: The Bust-up at the BBC
The LRB Podcast explores the crisis at the BBC, discussing allegations of partiality in its reporting and the organization's capacity to adapt to the digital era. The episode features former BBC journalist Lewis Goodall and author Dan Hind.
- Aftershock: The War on Terror – Episode 1: With Us or Against Us
This is the first episode of "Aftershock: The War on Terror" series. It discusses George W. Bush's declaration of a state of emergency and the expansion of US power after 9/11.
- Where does our waste go?
This episode of The LRB Podcast features Brett Christophers and Tom discussing the destination of waste from the global North, including discarded electronics, clothes, and plastics. They explore the difficulties in waste reduction given t…
- Introducing ‘Aftershock: The War on Terror’
The LRB Podcast introduces a new series, Aftershock: The War on Terror. It examines the expansion of American power following 9/11, including drone strikes and mass surveillance. The series revisits the magazine's coverage and reflects on…
- On Politics: Latin America’s Right-Wing Shift
This episode explores the political shift in Latin America from the "Pink Tide" of left-wing governments to the rise of right-wing leaders. It discusses factors contributing to the decline of progressive governments and the origins of the…
- Pollution and Other Serial Killers
This episode of The LRB Podcast discusses the book "Murderland" by Caroline Fraser, which explores the theory that lead fumes and toxic emissions in the Pacific Northwest may have contributed to a rise in serial killers. James Lasdun joins…
- On Politics: Do bond markets and the Bank of England run Britain?
This episode discusses the influence of bond markets and the Bank of England on British politics, examining why governments are concerned about bond markets and the increasing role of central banks in policy. It also considers the independ…
- Extinction, Fast and Slow
On The LRB Podcast, Lorraine Daston and Tom discuss the challenges of understanding extinction due to the mismatch between human and Earth timescales. They examine how the language of natural selection has been used to justify violence and…
- On Politics: The Online Right (and Left)
James is joined by Alan Finlayson to discuss how online nationalist politics and rhetoric have influenced contemporary political discourse on the left and the right. They explore the shifting political landscape and the role of concepts li…
- Lessons from the Peace Process
Adam and Robert Malley discuss the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the history of the Middle East peace process. They explore the themes of Malley's book, Tomorrow Is Yesterday, and analyze the reasons behind failed peace efforts an…
- Why should we listen to Amanda Knox?
Jessica Olin joins Tom to discuss Amanda Knox's second book, 'Free', and her experiences following her exoneration in the murder case of Meredith Kercher. The conversation covers the media coverage of the trial and Knox's advocacy for thos…
- On Politics: The Death of the Conservative Party?
This episode of The LRB Podcast explores the current state of the Conservative Party, examining the challenges it faces under Kemi Badenoch's leadership. Guests Anthony Seldon and Henry Hill discuss the reasons behind the party's struggles…
- How to Write Like Elmore Leonard
J. Robert Lennon joins host Tom to discuss the writing style and legacy of crime novelist Elmore Leonard, including the relevance of his famous ten rules for writers. They explore how Leonard's minimalist approach influenced the crime genr…
- On Politics: Labour's Problems
In this inaugural episode of the On Politics series, host James Butler discusses the challenges facing Keir Starmer's Labour government with guests Chris Mullin, Andy Beckett, and Morgan Jones. The conversation covers political setbacks, t…
- Selling the Manosphere
Emily Witt joins Malin Hay to discuss the rise of the manosphere, a network of male-supremacist online content. They examine the factors behind its appeal to young men and its broader societal and political impact.
- The Debt to David Graeber
Richard Seymour joins Tom to discuss the life, work, and legacy of anthropologist and activist David Graeber. They examine his academic contributions, political activism, and arguments presented in books such as Debt: The First 5000 Years,…
- What’s so great about Formula One?
In this episode of The LRB Podcast, Joanne O’Leary and Thomas Jones discuss the evolution of Formula One, including its improvements in safety, the technical demands of the sport, and the significance of the individuals involved in racing.
- Close Readings: 'Our Mutual Friend' by Charles Dickens
Tom, Rosemary Hill, and Tom Crewe discuss Charles Dickens’s final completed novel, "Our Mutual Friend," exploring its prose, social commentary, and late-Victorian influence. This episode is an extract from the Close Readings series by the…
- The Psychology of Tennis
Edmund Gordon joins Tom to discuss the psychological demands of professional tennis and four recent books about key figures of the sport, including the 'golden generation' and emerging rivals Sinner and Alcaraz. They also explore the chall…
- Why you should care about golf
David Trotter joins Tom to discuss the significance of golf in American politics, the role of self-policing in the sport, and the connection between golf and character. The conversation also explores why golf is the favored sport of US pre…
- Close Readings: ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelley
Adam Thirlwell and Marina Warner discuss Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, exploring themes of birth, death, monstrosity, and the limits of science. They also examine the novel's philosophical undercurrents and the enduring influence of its cha…
- Rat Universes
Jon Day discusses John B. Calhoun’s "rat universe" experiments with the Wistar rat, exploring the history of laboratory rats and the implications of Calhoun’s research on overpopulation and behavior.