Best James Leith Podcasts (2026)

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Cosmo Landesman, Alex Diggins, Lucy Dunn & Richard Bratby 23:52

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2d ago23:52

23:52

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Cosmo Landesman says life is too short to watch boring shows; Alex Diggins reports back from the Bukhara art biennial; Lucy Dunn provides her notes on BuzzBallz – which featured at the Spectator’s Christmas party; and, Richard Bratby reviews L’amour des trois oranges at the Royal Northern College of Music and Ario…

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Books of the Year | Sam Leith & Philip Hensher 34:54

6d ago34:54

34:54

Sam Leith is joined by Philip Hensher to pick over their books of the year. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts Contact us: [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa…

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Slipshod – a short story by Sarah Perry 34:22

11d ago34:22

34:22

For this special Spectator Out Loud, Sarah Perry reads her short story Slipshod, from the Spectator's Christmas issue. The story follows an academic tasked with reconstructing a disturbing incident involving two long-standing colleagues whose close friendship unravels under the weight of envy, illness – and something harder to explain. What emerges…

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Episode 97 - Toronto Under Construction with Sarah Segal from Simplydbs, Jasmine Young from Zonda Urban, and Jane Renwick from RenwickCorp 1:41:27

12d ago1:41:27

1:41:27

In this episode of Toronto Under Construction, Ben welcomes the first-ever all-female panel to the podcast: Sarah Segal (Simplydbs), Jasmine Young (Zonda Urban), and Jane Renwick (RenwickCorp). From shifting consumer expectations to urban planning bottlenecks, generational change, and leadership at the executive level, this conversation unpacks whe…

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Christmas II: Dominic Sandbrook, Philip Hensher, Steve Morris, Christopher Howse, Michael Hann & Mary Killen 40:43

16d ago40:43

40:43

On this week’s special Christmas edition of Spectator Out Loud – part two: Dominic Sandbrook reflects on whether Lady Emma Hamilton is the 18th century’s answer to Bonnie Blue; Philip Hensher celebrates the joy of a miserable literary Christmas; Steve Morris argues that an angel is for life, not just for Christmas; Christopher Howse ponders the Spe…

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Speaker series: Bernard Cornwell – Sharpe's Storm 1:04:09

20d ago1:04:09

1:04:09

The Spectator’s associate editor Toby Young sits down with master storyteller Bernard Cornwell, author of more than 50 international bestselling novels, including The Last Kingdom and much-loved Sharpe series. They delve into Cornwell’s life and career, discuss the real history behind his riveting tales of war and heroism and explore the enduring a…

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Christmas I: James Heale, Gyles Brandreth, Avi Loeb, Melanie McDonagh, Mary Wakefield, Richard Bratby & Rupert Hawksley 44:15

24d ago44:15

44:15

On this week’s special Christmas edition of Spectator Out Loud – part one: James Heale wonders if Keir Starmer will really have a happy new year; Gyles Brandreth discusses Her Majesty The Queen’s love of reading, and reveals which books Her Majesty has personally recommended to give this Christmas; Avi Loeb explains why a comet could be a spaceship…

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Jonathan C. Slaght: The Journey to Save the Siberian Tiger from Extinction 49:24

27d ago49:24

49:24

My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is Jonathan C. Slaght, whose new book is Tigers Between Empires: The Journey to Save the Siberian Tiger from Extinction. He tells me about these remarkable animals, the remarkable people who studied them, and how their fates have been entwined with the shifting politics of post-Soviet Russia. Become a Spect…

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Episode 96 - Toronto Under Construction with Bob Blazevski from Blaze Urban, Sasha Cucuz from Greybrook Realty & Jake Cohen from The Daniels Corporation 1:31:19

28d ago1:31:19

1:31:19

In this episode of Toronto Under Construction, Ben is joined by Bob Blazevski (Blaze Urban), Sasha Cucuz (Greybrook Realty), and Jake Cohen (The Daniels Corporation) for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of real estate development in the GTA. From the impacts of the 2025 federal budget to the shifting economics of condo and rental projects, …

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What's the greatest artwork of the century so far? 14:12

1M ago14:12

14:12

For this week's Spectator Out Loud, we include a compilation of submissions by our writers for their greatest artwork of the 21st century so far. Following our arts editor Igor Toronyi-Lalic, you can hear from: Graeme Thomson, Lloyd Evans, Slavoj Zizek, Damian Thompson, Richard Bratby, Liz Anderson, Deborah Ross, Calvin Po, Tanjil Rashid, James Wal…

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James Geary: A Brief History of the Aphorism 43:29

1M ago43:29

43:29

My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is James Geary, talking about the new edition of his classic The World in a Phrase: A Brief History of the Aphorism. He tells me about what separates an aphorism from a proverb, a maxim or a quip; about the long history of the form and his own lifelong infatuation with it; and about whether – given our dwin…

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Lara Brown, James Heale, Sam Olsen & Toby Young 18:52

1M ago18:52

18:52

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Lara Brown reports on how young women are saying ’no’ to marriage; James Heale takes us through the history of the Budgets via drink; Sam Olsen reviews Ruthless by Edmond Smith and looks at Britain’s history of innovation and exploitation; and, Toby Young questions the burdensome regulation over Politically Expose…

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Leon Craig: The Decadence 29:39

1M ago29:39

29:39

On this week’s Book Club podcast I’m joined by debut author Leon Craig to talk about her novel The Decadence – a story of millennial debauchery in a haunted house which uses a knowing patchwork of literary influences from Boccaccio and Shirley Jackson to Martin Amis and Mark Z. Danielewski to make an old form fresh. She discusses how and why it too…

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William Atkinson, Andreas Roth, Philip Womack, Mary Wakefield & Muriel Zagha 33:08

1M ago33:08

33:08

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: William Atkinson reveals his teenage brush with a micropenis; Andreas Roth bemoans the dumbing down of German education; Philip Womack wonders how the hyphen turned political; Mary Wakefield questions the latest AI horror story – digitising dead relatives; and, Muriel Zagha celebrates Powell & Pressburger’s I Know…

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Benjamin Myers: Jesus Christ Kinski 36:11

2M ago36:11

36:11

Ben Myers joins Sam Leith to discuss his book Jesus Christ Kinski, which he describes as a ‘novel about a film about a performance about Jesus’. Klaus Kinski was one of Germany’s biggest actors of the 20th Century – but he was also one of the most controversial, and Ben questions if he was one of the worst people to have ever lived. In this novel, …

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John Power, Madeline Grant, Ysenda Maxtone-Graham, Calvin Po & Gus Carter 33:08

2M ago33:08

33:08

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: John Power examines the rise in drug abuse and homelessness on British streets; Madeline Grant explains the allure of Hollywood radical Sydney Sweeney; Ysenda Maxtone Graham laments the rise of the on-the-day party flake; Calvin Po warns of a war on Britain’s historic architecture; and Gus Carter reads his Notes o…

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Episode 95 - Toronto Under Construction with Eric Lascelles from RBC Asset Management, James Marple from TD Economics and Peter Norman from Altus Group 1:27:56

2M ago1:27:56

1:27:56

In this episode of Toronto Under Construction, Ben is joined by three of Canada's top economists to break down the macroeconomic forces shaping the housing market in 2025 and beyond: Eric Lascelles (RBC Global Asset Management), James Marple (TD Economics), and Peter Norman (Altus Group). The conversation covers interest rate cuts, Canada’s economi…

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Wikipedia founder on his 'friend' Elon Musk & finding truth online 33:54

2M ago33:54

33:54

Sam Leith’s guest this week is Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia and author of The Seven Rules of Trust. They discuss why trust is such an important value for public debate, and how it can address polarisation in society. Jimmy addresses the challenge Elon Musk has posed to Wikipedia after the entrepreneur branded the site as ‘woke’, despite th…

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The Science and Soul of Sound Healing with Leith James 55:36

2M ago55:36

55:36

Have you ever felt the vibration of a sound that seemed to move something deep within you — a note that resonated through your body and calmed your mind? In this week’s episode of Transcending Trauma, I interview Leith James, founder of the Australian Sound Healers Association (ASHA), to explore “The Science and Soul of Sound Healing.” Together, we…

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James Heale, Margaret Mitchell, Damien Thompson, Rebecca Reid & Julie Bindel 26:19

2M ago26:19

26:19

On this week's Spectator Out Loud: James Heale considers the climate conundrum at the heart of British politics; Rebecca Reid explains why she's given up polyamory; Damien Thompson recounts the classical music education from his school days; Margaret Mitchell asks what's happened to Britain's apples; and Julie Bindel marvels at the history of pizza…

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Graham Robb: The Discovery of Britain 39:43

2M ago39:43

39:43

Sam Leith's guest this week is Graham Robb. In his new book The Discovery of Britain: An Accidental History, Graham takes us on a time-travelling bicycle tour of the island's history. They discuss how Graham weaves together personal memories with geography and history, his 'major cartographic scoop' which unlocks Iron Age Britain and contemporary d…

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Luke Coppen, Mary Wakefield, Daniel McCarthy, Michael Simmons & Hugh Thomson 34:16

2M ago34:16

34:16

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Luke Coppen looks at a new musical subgenre of Roman Catholic black metal; Mary Wakefield celebrates cartoonist Michael Heath as he turns 90 – meaning he has drawn for the Spectator for 75 years; looking to Venezuela, Daniel McCarthy warns Trump about the perils of regime change; Michael Simmons bemoans how Britai…

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Nat Jansz: Comet in Moominland turns 80 37:45

2M ago37:45

37:45

Nat Jansz joins Sam Leith to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Moomin novels. The first of these, Comet in Moominland, was revised by author Tove Jansson a decade after the original publication date. To celebrate the anniversary Sort of Books, co-run by Jansz, is publishing this revised edition for the first time in English. Jansz discusses why…

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Max Jeffery, Sam Leith, Michael Henderson, Madeline Grant & Julie Bindel 35:54

2M ago35:54

35:54

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Max Jeffery examines Britain’s new hard left alliance; Sam Leith wonders what Prince Andrew is playing; Michael Henderson reads his letter from Berlin; Madeline Grant analyses the demise of the American ‘wasp’ – or White, Anglo-Saxon Protestant; and, Julie Bindel ponders the disturbing allure of sex robots. Produc…

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Episode 94 - Toronto Under Construction with Andy Brethour from PMA Brethour Realty, Riz Dhanji from RAD Marketing, and Debbie Cosic from In2ition Realty 1:12:30

2M ago1:12:30

1:12:30

In this episode of Toronto Under Construction, Ben is joined by three of the GTA’s most influential names in real estate sales and marketing: Andy Brethour (PMA Brethour Realty), Riz Dhanji (RAD Marketing), and Debbie Cosic (In2ition Realty). The conversation covers the current downturn in the condo market, investor behaviour, affordability, and ho…

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Peter James: Jack Higgins's The Eagle Has Landed 39:32

3M ago39:32

39:32

Sam Leith's guest on this week's Book Club podcast is the crime writer Peter James. Peter has contributed the introduction to a new edition of the classic thriller The Eagle Has Landed, which is 50 years old this month. He tells Sam what it was that made Jack Higgins's novel so groundbreaking, about what it takes to make you root for the bad guys, …

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Best of Notes on... 28:58

3M ago28:58

28:58

The Best of Notes on... gathers the funniest, sharpest and most wonderfully random pieces from The Spectator’s beloved miscellany column. For more than a decade, these short, sharp essays have uncovered the intrigue in the everyday and the delight in digression. To purchase the book, go to spectator.co.uk/shop On this special episode of Spectator O…

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Nick Boles, James Ball, Andrew Rosenheim, Arabella Byrne & Rory Sutherland 27:03

3M ago27:03

27:03

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Nick Boles says that Ukraine must stand as a fortress of European freedom; James Ball reviews If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: The Case Against Superintelligent AI, by Eliezer Yudowsky and Nate Sores; Andrew Rosenheim examines the treasure trove of John Le Carre’s papers at the Bodleian; Arabella Byrne provides…

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Luke Kemp: The History and Future of Societal Collapse 48:33

3M ago48:33

48:33

My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is Luke Kemp. In his new book Goliath’s Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse, Luke seeks lessons from prehistory to understand how societies grow and flourish, what kills them, and where we are now. He tells me what Hobbes got wrong, why ‘civilisation’ isn’t always the boon we have been taught…

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Tim Shipman, Ian Williams, Theo Hobson, Lara Prendergast & Lisa Haseldine 34:01

3M ago34:01

34:01

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Tim Shipman says that the real war for the right is yet to come; Ian Williams examines the farce over the collapses China espionage case; Theo Hobson argues that the Church of England is muddled over sex and marriage; Lara Prendergast reads her letter from America; and, Lisa Haseldine goes on manoeuvres with the G…

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Episode 93 - Toronto Under Construction with Henry Chung from First National, Jason Marks from Collecdev-Markee, and Mitch Abrahams from Benvenuto Group 1:39:35

3M ago1:39:35

1:39:35

In episode 93 of Toronto Under Construction, host Ben Myers is joined by three industry insiders to unpack how financing, data, and design innovation are shaping the future of Canadian housing. Henry Chung (First National), Jason Marks (Collecdev-Markee), and Mitch Abrahams (Benvenuto Group) bring candid insights on everything from CMHC's evolving …

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Ben Schott: An Unexpectedly Essential Guide to Language 38:20

3M ago38:20

38:20

his week’s Book Club podcast is Ben Schott. The author of the world- (or downstairs-loo-) conquering Schott’s Original Miscellany returns with Schott’s Significa, a deeply reported and constantly surprising book in which he uses the private languages of various communities – from gondoliers to graffiti writers and from Swifties to sommeliers – as a…

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Speaker series: Jeffrey Archer – End Game 50:41

3M ago50:41

50:41

Michael Gove speaks to Jeffrey Archer about his life, career and his new novel End Game, which marks the gripping finale of the William Warwick series. This discussion was part of the Spectator's speaker series. To see more on our upcoming events – including with Charles Moore and with Bernard Cornwell – go to events.spectator.co.uk Become a Specta…

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James Heale, William Atkinson, David Shipley, Angus Colwell and Aidan Hartley 24:09

3M ago24:09

24:09

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: James Heale says that, for Labour, party conference was a ‘holiday from reality’; William Atkinson argues that the ‘cult of Thatcher’ needs to die; David Shipley examines the luxury of French prisons; Angus Colwell provides his notes on swan eating; and, Aidan Hartley takes listeners on a paleoanthropological tour…

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Philippa Gregory: Boleyn Traitor 39:17

3M ago39:17

39:17

Sam Leith's guest on this week's Book Club podcast is the historical novelist Philippa Gregory. In her gripping new book Boleyn Traitor, Philippa seeks to rescue Jane Boleyn from the vast condescension of history. She tells Sam how fiction allows her to make plausible speculations about the gaps in the record, how she works to make the Tudors speak…

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Nichola Davenport Midlife Confidence Catalyst 45:12

3M ago45:12

45:12

This week on Transcending Trauma, Leigh Milne holistic focused psychologist interviews the incredible Nichola Davenport — a life coach, hypnotist, and midlife confidence catalyst. Nichola empowers women over 40 to reset their lives, rebuild their confidence, and live unapologetically. Through her programs — The Midlife Reset Blueprint and her perso…

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Matthew Parris, Stephen J. Shaw, Henry Jeffreys, Tessa Dunlop and Angus Colwell 30:34

3M ago30:34

30:34

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Matthew Parris reflects on the gay rights movement in the UK; faced with Britain’s demographic declines, Stephen J. Shaw argues that Britain needs to recover a sense of ‘futurehood’; Henry Jeffreys makes the case for disposing of wine lists; Tessa Dunlop reviews Valentine Low’s Power and the Palace: The Inside Sto…

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Sudhir Hazareesingh: Daring to be Free 43:15

3M ago43:15

43:15

Sam's guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is the historian Sudhir Hazareesingh, whose new book Daring to Be Free: Rebellion and Resistance of the Enslaved in the Atlantic World reframes the story of Atlantic slavery. He explains why the familiar tale of enlightened Europeans bringing about abolition leaves out the most important voices of all – …

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Episode 92 - Toronto Under Constuction with Kathy Black from Fiera Real Estate and Geoff Matthews from Capital Developments 1:20:13

4M ago1:20:13

1:20:13

In episode 92 of Toronto Under Construction, host Ben Myers is joined by two seasoned development leaders to discuss what’s really happening in Canada’s housing market and how their firms are responding to current headwinds. Geoff Matthews (Senior VP, Capital Development) and Kathy Black (Head of Real Estate Development, Fiera Real Estate) break do…

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John Power, Nick Carter, Elisabeth Dampier, Maggie Fergusson & Mark Mason 25:36

4M ago25:36

25:36

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: John Power argues the Oxford Union has a ‘lynch-mob mindset’; Elisabeth Dampier explains why she would never date a German; Nick Carter makes the case for licensing MDMA to treat veterans with PTSD; Maggie Fergusson reviews Island at the Edge of the World: The Forgotten History of Easter Island by Mike Pitts; and,…

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Roger Lewis: The Life and Death of Peter Sellers 37:31

4M ago37:31

37:31

Sam Leith's guest in this week's Book Club podcast is Roger Lewis, whose book The Life and Death of Peter Sellers has been republished to mark 100 years since the comedian's birth. Roger tells Sam about the difference between Sellers's public persona and private life, plus his influence on comedy today. They also discuss how Roger reinvented the wa…

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James Heale, Robert Hardman, Francis Pike, Henrietta Harding & Mary Wakefield 31:21

4M ago31:21

31:21

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: James Heale reports on the battle for the north; Robert Hardman provides his royal notebook; who’s really in charge of China, asks Francis Pike; Henrietta Harding goes on Ozempic safari; and, Mary Wakefield explains how to raise a patriot. Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Become a Spectator subscriber to…

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Andrew Bayliss: Sparta – The Rise and Fall of An Ancient Superpower 42:38

4M ago42:38

42:38

Sam Leith’s guest in this week's Book Club podcast is Andrew Bayliss, author of Sparta: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Superpower. Andrew tells Sam what we know — and don't know – about these much-mythologised figures from the Ancient world and tells the story of how a tiny city-state punched above its weight, until it didn't. This is Sparta. Prod…

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Tim Shipman, Colin Freeman, Rachel Clarke, Michael Gove & Melanie Ferbreach 39:12

4M ago39:12

39:12

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Tim Shipman interviews shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick (plus – Tim explains the significance of Jenrick’s arguments in a special introduction); Colin Freeman wonders why the defenders of Ukraine have been abandoned; Rachel Clarke reviews Liam Shaw and explains the urgency needed to find new antibiotics; Mi…

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Lea Ypi: Indignity 47:50

4M ago47:50

47:50

My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is the Albanian-born political philosopher Lea Ypi, whose new book Indignity: A Life Reimagined reconstructs the story of her grandmother's early life amid the turbulence of the early and mid twentieth century. She talks to me about using the techniques of fiction to supply the gaps in the archive, about Al…

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Episode 91 - Toronto Under Construction with Matt Kingston from H&R REIT, Jeremiah Shamess from Colliers and Joshua Marlowe from Berkshire Axis 1:24:33

4M ago1:24:33

1:24:33

In episode 91 of Toronto Under Construction, host Ben Myers is joined by three commercial real estate experts to unpack the current market turbulence, and more importantly, where developers are heading next. Matt Kingston (VP, Asset Management at H&R REIT), Jeremiah Shamess (Executive Vice President, Colliers), and Joshua Marlowe (Principal, Berksh…

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Tom Slater, Justin Marozzi, Iben Thranholm, Angus Colwell & Philip Womack 27:29

4M ago27:29

27:29

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Tom Slater says that Britain is having its own gilet jaunes moment; Justin Marozzi reads his historian’s notebook; Iben Thranholm explains how Denmark’s ‘spiritual rearmament’ is a lesson for the West; Angus Colwell praises BBC Alba; and, Philip Womack provides his notes on flatmates. Produced and presented by Pat…

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Brideshead Revisited, 80 years on: from the archives 42:29

4M ago42:29

42:29

This week's Book Club podcast marks the 80th anniversary this year of the publication of Brideshead Revisited. This conversation is from the archives, originally recorded in 2020 to mark its 75th anniversary. To discuss Evelyn Waugh's great novel, Sam Leith is joined by literary critic and author Philip Hensher, and by the novelist's grandson (and …

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Svitlana Morenets, Michael Simmons, Ursula Buchan, Igor Toronyi-Lalic, Richard Morris & Mark Mason 36:41

5M ago36:41

36:41

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Svitlana Morenets says that Trump has given Zelensky cause for hope; Michael Simmons looks at how the American healthcare system is keeping the NHS afloat; Ursula Buchan explains how the Spectator shaped John Buchan; Igor Toronyi-Lalic argues that art is no place for moralising, as he reviews Rosanna McLaughlin; R…

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Max Hastings: Sword – D-Day, Trial by Battle 31:54

5M ago31:54

31:54

Sam Leith's guest for this week's Book Club podcast is Max Hastings. Max joined Sam earlier this year for a live recording to discuss his new book Sword: D-Day, trial by battle, which tells the story of the individual stories who risked their lives as part of Operation Overlord. The discussion was arranged to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day. On …