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Artwork for Bureau of Lost Culture

Bureau of Lost Culture

Stephen Coates
Counterculture
Psychedelics
Rave Culture
Mental Health
Shamanism
Spiral Tribe
Black Power
The Incredible String Band
Acid House
Castle Morton Free Festival
Black Panthers
Perversion
British Underground
Dreaming
Allen Ginsberg
Lucid Dreaming
Music Activism
Homosexuality
Music
Activism

*The Bureau of Lost Culture broadcast rare, countercultural stories, oral testimonies and tales from the underground.*Join host Stephen Coates and a wide range of guests, including musicians, artists, writers, activists and commentators in conversation.

Support us on Patreon*Listen via all major podcast providers.

The Bureau is collected at The British Library Sound Archive

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes163Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Bureau of Lost Culture

Latest Episodes

Ever thought the so-called ‘golden decade’ of the 1960s was only about peace and love? Think again. Beneath the surface, it was riddled with violence, paranoia, and chaos, even in its most iconic moments.

So says James Riley, a writer whose work exp... more

The Weather Underground, The Baader-Meinhof Group, The Red Brigade, Carlos the Jackal, The Japanese Red Army.

The counterculture has always had a shadow side. There have been bad actors, casualties, the needle and the damage done -  and in this epis... more

YouTube

This is the second part of our conversation with Joe Rush, the initiator, mentor, and driving force behind The Mutoid Waste Company, that extraordinary countercultural endeavour to turn the waste of our industrial civilisation into art, performance, ... more

YouTube

Beyond the official story, the myth, of the Second World War — its maps and medals, courage and sacrifice — there is another hidden narrative. Written in rare memoirs, or in letters and diaries never meant to be read by us, it tells of a kind of unde... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Luke Turner
British writer, editor and cultural critic; author of Men at War
Author of Men at War; founding editor of The Quietus
Episode: Sex - Men - War
Joe Rush
Artist and leader of the Mutoid Waste Company
Mutoid Waste Company
Episode: 20th Century Mutoid Man: Joe Rush - Part 1
James Cheshire
Britain's only professor of geographic information and cartography, leading contemporary map making
University College London
Episode: The Library of Lost Maps
Max Carocci
Social anthropologist focused on indigenous cultures and shamanism
Episode: What is a Shaman?
Karl Bell
A British cultural historian focused on the connection between environment and supernatural beliefs.
Episode: A Supernatural History of the Atlantic
Kevin Foakes
DJ Food and member of the Openmind Collective
Ninja Tune
Episode: Tales from the Ambient Underground
Alaura O'Dell
Musician and artist, formerly known as Paula P-Orridge, involved with Psychic TV and creator of the Temple of Psychic Youth.
Episode: In + Out of Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth - Part 1
Tom Bolton
Writer and psychogeographic explorer
Author of Atomic Albion
Episode: Geiger-Counterculture: A Journey Through Atomic Albion
John Higgs
Writer and cultural historian, author of Lynchian, The Spell of David Lynch
Episode: The Spell of David Lynch

Host

Stephen Coates
Host of the show; longtime curator of counterculture content and conversations with musicians, artists, writers, and scholars

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 284 ratings
  • Deep joy

    Joyful eclectic journeys through cultural oddities that will fill your head with wonder and that will make you more interesting as a person

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bobbymatchbox
    United Kingdom19 days ago
  • You can’t get lost.

    For the sake of not losing the knowledge about any remarkable culture.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wandowaiato
    Germany4 months ago
  • Excellent

    Really enjoy this pod, thoughtful and engaging - highly recommended

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bong
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Excellent

    Devouring these episodes. Trying not to rush them.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NedW1983
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Superb

    This was recommended to me as I love all things counter cultural. I’m on my second episode and I love it. Well structured, well researched, informed and thought provoking 👏🏼

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nigey B
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Insightful, deeply researched and rare perspectives on underground culture.
Charming and erudite host with a knack for drawing out nuanced stories from guests.
Thoughtful, well-structured conversations that stay engaging across topics.
Essential listening for anyone into counterculture and archival storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#196
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#203
Ireland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

In + Out of Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth - Part 2
Q: What prompted you to reclaim your story and experiences from your time in Psychic TV?
After going through my master's program, I felt compelled to write about my life in the music business. It was a way to articulate my identity and contributions which had often been overshadowed.
In + Out of Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth - Part 2
Q: How did you cope financially after separating from Jen?
I struggled financially for years, working odd jobs and dealing with the stress of the divorce process, but eventually I found a way to support myself musically and through teaching.
In + Out of Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth - Part 2
Q: What was the turning point for you in leaving the relationship with Jen?
It was a culmination of factors, including controlling behavior and my need for personal growth. I felt trapped and realized that I needed to change my life at age 29.
What is a Shaman?
Q: What is the role of psychoactive plants in shamanism?
While often used to aid in trance states, the ingestion of psychoactive plants is not a requirement for shamanism, as one can enter a trance without them.
What is a Shaman?
Q: How do shamans induce trance?
Shamans can enter trance states through various methods, including drumming and other repetitive actions, but it also requires deep concentration and sensory deprivation.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bureau of Lost Culture

What is Bureau of Lost Culture about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show explores rare, countercultural stories, often anchored in art, music, history, and fringe perspectives. Episodes frequently center on underground movements, archival curiosities, and the social or technological forces that shape counterculture, from map-making and cryptic folklore to experimental music scenes and influential dissidents. It tends to attract guests who operate at the edges of culture—artists, historians, scholars, activists, and musicians—who bring vivid first‑hand accounts, oddball histories, and thoughtful commentary. A standout quality is the breadth of topics, delivered with a calm, inquisitive interviewing style that invites nuanced storytelling and deep dives into niche subjects. This makes it appealing to list... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Bureau of Lost Culture?

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1. Word In Your Ear
2. THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST
3. The Alexei Sayle Podcast
4. Weird Studies
5. Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt

How many episodes of Bureau of Lost Culture are there?

Bureau of Lost Culture launched 6 years ago and published 163 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 Bureau of Lost Culture?

Recent guests on Bureau of Lost Culture include:

1. Luke Turner
2. Joe Rush
3. James Cheshire
4. Max Carocci
5. Karl Bell
6. Kevin Foakes
7. Alaura O'Dell
8. Tom Bolton

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.

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