Free Thinking
BBC Radio 4Leading thinkers discuss the ideas shaping our lives - looking back at the news and making links between past and present. Fridays at 9pm on BBC Radio 4. Presented by Matthew Sweet, Shahidha Bari and Anne McElvoy.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 2000 | Founded | 21 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Society & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
He renounced his fortune and lived amongst animals so does the example of St Francis help us think about issues like the wealth gap and our relationship with the environment and the natural world. October 4th is his feast day and this year the Cathol... more
What is the role of intellectuals in public life? Matthew Sweet hosts Radio 4's Friday night round table discussion programme about ideas. His guests are: Emile Chabal, author of a new biography about Marxist historian Eric Hobsbawm; Sophie Scott Bro... more
Do we have a responsibility to inform ourselves about the state of the world? Is the experience of some people valued more highly than that of others? Matthew Sweet investigates the ethics of knowledge in Radio 4's round table discussion programme. W... more
What does trade set in motion beyond the exchange of goods? Anne McElvoy explores the movement of commerce across time as a carrier of habits, ideas, ambitions and influence, as well as of material things. From the early modern world, where trade was... more
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- Sour taste
The episode about taste was rubbish. Instead of presenting us with ideas and examples of good and bad taste and then critiquing the entire concept, most of them just critiqued the entire concept and bored on about Kant and their boohoo prestigious job in opera where they had got some booing and therefore it was the fault of you know who. The one boomer there was terrific, Peter York, but was punched around by the young bullies and the whole thing fell apart into the usual BBC slop
Apple Podcasts1AllFood62
United Kingdom6 months ago You get one star and screw your assumption that this is a review of the podcast and not the episode. I don't find that a productive assumption.
I found this fascinating: there is a person and his work discussed by you, but you fail to mention the name in your notes. Clarity not a value for you? Did you make this a productive interaction? Actually don't care that we know and can research the subject, do you? Christ, you're annoying. Fix your shit.
Podcast Addict18 months agoroadshowrigoletto- looking backward
Rather often irritatingly dominated , regardless of topoi, by guest historians dabbling (in) psychology, or, even worse, philosophy.
Apple Podcasts2ndjuxhhehaijdbehbbxk
Germany8 months ago - Please keep making more episodes!!
Amazing!!
Apple Podcasts5linenfrolic21
United Statesa year ago - Let’s mix up the podcasts!
I want to see (or hear)!Matthew Sweet on the podcast “Backlisted” talk about one of his favorites out of print book. The interaction between him and Andy Miller would be fascinating to hear.’
Apple Podcasts5Pete BullockUnited Statesa year ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #233 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #163 |  New Zealand/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #168 |  India/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #174 |  Philippines/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #183 |  South Africa/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #191 |  Ireland/Society & Culture |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Free Thinking
What is Free Thinking about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A thoughtful, idea-forward show that stitches together philosophy, history, politics, and culture through long-form discussions with scholars, journalists, and policy voices. Episodes explore ethics, trade, humility, satire, innocence and power, often linking historical ideas to contemporary events. Distinctive for its wide intellectual breadth, rigorous argumentation, and a mix of deep-dive debates with accessible, conversational interviews. The format favors thoughtful discourse over quick takes, with guests ranging from philosophers to historians to public commentators. This makes it appealing to listeners who enjoy cross-disciplinary analysis and long, nuanced conversations on big ideas.
Where can I find podcast stats for Free Thinking?
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How many listeners does Free Thinking get?
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What are the audience demographics for Free Thinking?
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How many subscribers and views does Free Thinking have?
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Which podcasts are similar to Free Thinking?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Free Thinking:
1. The LRB Podcast
2. Start the Week
3. London Review Bookshop Podcast
4. Close Readings
5. In Our Time
How many episodes of Free Thinking are there?
Free Thinking launched 21 years ago and published 2000 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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What guests have appeared on Free Thinking?
Recent guests on Free Thinking include:
1. David Goodhart
2. Emile Chabal
3. Pierre Delancey
4. Sophie Scott Brown
5. Ian Kidd
6. Marianna Spring
7. Ebony Reid
8. Havi Carel
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.