Arts & Ideas
BBC Radio 4Leading thinkers discuss the ideas shaping our lives – looking back at the news and making links between past and present. Broadcast as Free Thinking, Fridays at 9pm on BBC Radio 4. Presented by Matthew Sweet, Shahidha Bari and Anne McElvoy.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 2000 | Founded | 20 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | Society & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
Is idleness ever a virtue? In a world that seems to privilege utility and productivity above all else, Matthew Sweet considers whether we can rethink the importance of doing nothing. His guests for Radio 4's late night ideas discussion programme are:... more
Do individuals or broader forces shape history? In the 2025 Reith lectures on BBC Radio 4, Rutger Bregman argues that small groups of individuals can have an outsize influence and he looks to examples in history from suffragism to the ending of slave... more
Why marry? Jane Austen began her novel Pride and Prejudice with the observation "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife". Recent figures from the Office of National Statist... more
Rocks have shaped the fates of civilizations and the study of geology has transformed our intellectual landscape. In the 19th century developments in earth sciences led to the scientific rejection of Biblical timescales in favour of the far greater s... more
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Reviews
- Please keep making more episodes!!
Amazing!!
Apple Podcasts5linenfrolic21
United States3 months 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 States4 months ago - Friendship show was a step in the right direction
Arts & Ideas has been in steep decline since March 2024. One can feel the heavy hand of the BBC, terrorized by far right pressure groups and apparatchiks of the Tory and Labour party, enforcing a new set of standards, a ban on almost any topic or guest that might alienate reactionaries, alongside a dumbing down of the way topics are even addressed, with changes to the show’s format to speed it up and reduce the amount of actual discussion in favor of gimmicks like poorly-executed attempts at coo... more
Apple Podcasts5melodie-cUnited States5 months ago - Matthew Sweet is the Squirrel Nutkin of broadcasting.
I can’t make up my mind about the move from R3, and I don’t know if I’m projecting here, but I feel an edge of nervousness about making the reduction to one show a week really count, no matter who presents. Hope this is not unfair. I still listen, but with an enhanced feeling of panning for little flakes of gold.
Apple Podcasts3greg_bedford
United Kingdoma year ago Great episode
Podcast Addict52 years agoElan Mask
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #246 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #204 |  Ukraine/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #250 |  Argentina/Society & Culture |
Talking Points
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Frequently Asked Questions About Arts & Ideas
What is Arts & Ideas about and what kind of topics does it cover?
In each episode, leading thinkers engage in insightful discussions around the ideas and cultural phenomena that shape contemporary society. Topics range from the nuances of idleness, the evolution of marriage, to the complexities of friendship and the weight of tradition in our lives. The conversations often include historical perspectives, philosophical inquiries, and cultural critiques, bringing a multifaceted examination of pressing social issues and human experiences. The podcast is characterized by its intellectual rigor, featuring a diverse array of guests, including historians, philosophers, and artists, which enriches the dialogue and encourages listeners to reflect critically on the world around them.
Where can I find podcast stats for Arts & Ideas?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Arts & Ideas. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Arts & Ideas and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does Arts & Ideas get?
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What are the audience demographics for Arts & Ideas?
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How many subscribers and views does Arts & Ideas have?
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Which podcasts are similar to Arts & Ideas?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Arts & Ideas:
1. The LRB Podcast
2. London Review Bookshop Podcast
3. The TLS Podcast
4. Start the Week
5. In Our Time
How many episodes of Arts & Ideas are there?
Arts & Ideas launched 20 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.
How do I contact Arts & Ideas?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Arts & Ideas?
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What guests have appeared on Arts & Ideas?
Recent guests on Arts & Ideas include:
1. Rutger Bregman
2. Penny Mordaunt
3. Sunder Katwala
4. Uran Ferizi
5. Ceri Houlbrook
6. Alexander Douglas
7. Phuong Le
8. Stephen Shapiro
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.