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
'It's all in the best possible taste'. But what does it mean to have good taste? And does pursuing good taste lead to favouring style over substance? Who are the thinkers who have considered a philosophy of aesthetics Matthew Sweet hosts Radio 4's la... more
In a special programme looking ahead to International Women’s Day on March 8th, Shahidha Bari looks at how women express themselves in language, argument, poetry and art. Her guests include:
Sara Ahmed is the author of No is Not a Lonely Utterance K... more
Is authority a justly unfashionable quality that we should consign to the past? Or does it still have a place in political and business leadership, schools, medical settings and in the home? What is the difference between authority and power, how hav... more
How have attitudes to punishment changed over time, and what ideas about the rationale for punishment are circulating today? In Radio 4's roundtable discussion programme, Matthew Sweet and guests explore the criminal justice system through history.
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Reviews
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 Addict12 months agoroadshowrigoletto- looking backward
Rather often irritatingly dominated , regardless of topoi, by guest historians dabbling (in) psychology, or, even worse, philosophy.
Apple Podcasts2ndjuxhhehaijdbehbbxk
Germany2 months ago - Please keep making more episodes!!
Amazing!!
Apple Podcasts5linenfrolic21
United States6 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 States7 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 States8 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #204 |  United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #67 |  South Korea/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #239 |  Russia/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #241 |  Ukraine/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?
Thoughtful, cross-disciplinary conversations about culture, society, and ideas, anchored in history and philosophy. Episodes frequently explore authority, power, and how language, art, and policy shape public life, often featuring academics, historians, writers, and policymakers as guests. The show blends scholarly analysis with accessible storytelling, inviting listeners to connect past debates with contemporary issues. A standout is its breadth of topics—from feminism and literature to governance and technology—delivered with deep knowledge and engaging hosts. This mix makes it attractive to listeners who enjoy rigorous ideas presented in a lively dialogue, with a preference for well-formed arguments and nuanced perspectives.
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?
To see how many followers or subscribers Arts & Ideas has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to Arts & Ideas?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Arts & Ideas:
1. The LRB Podcast
2. Close Readings
3. In Our Time
4. Backlisted
5. Bookclub
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?
Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.
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. Sara Ahmed
2. Martin Gurri
3. Peter Hyman
4. Justine Greening
5. Tom Simpson
6. Adelle Stripe
7. Jacqueline Riding
8. Sam Johnson-Schlee
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.