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The EI Podcast

Engelsberg Ideas
Russia
China
Cold War
Artificial Intelligence
United States
Ukraine
Geopolitics
NATO
Liberty
Democracy
European Union
Soviet Union
Vietnam War
Japan
Xi Jinping
Vladimir Putin
World War II
France
Germany
Military Strategy

The EI Podcast brings you weekly conversations and audio essays from leading writers, thinkers and historians. Hosted by Alastair Benn and Paul Lay. Find the EI Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or search The EI Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes385Founded6 years ago
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GovernmentHistory

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Latest Episodes

Thomas de Waal joins EI’s Jack Dickens to discuss how the recent elections in Armenia could reshape geopolitics in the Caucasus and beyond.

Image: Armenian flag with Mount Ararat in background. Credit: Alamy

The late Len Deighton produced novels that were packed with excitement and suspense but also infused with moral complexity and psychological insight. Read by Leighton Pugh.

Read the essay here: engelsbergideas.com/essays/len-deightons-spycr... more

George Magnus speaks to EI’s Jack Dickens about the geopolitical logic behind China’s economic strategy.

Image: A container ship from China. Credit: Rudmer Zwerver

YouTube

The largest Jewish community in the world is defined by its deep integration into America's national story, its liberal traditions and scepticism towards Israeli governments. Read by Leighton Pugh.

Read the essay here: engelsbergideas.com/e... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Thomas de Waal
Senior fellow at Carnegie Europe; expert on Russia and the Caucasus
Carnegie Europe
Episode: Why Armenia’s elections matter
Malcolm Forbes
Writer/narrator of the essay
EI Podcast
Episode: Len Deighton’s spycraft
George Magnus
Research associate at the China Centre of the University of Oxford; former chief economist at UBS
University of Oxford / UBS
Episode: China's bid for economic supremacy
Colin Schindler
Historian/author presenting an essay on Jewish American history
Episode: A Jewish-American dream
Marc David Baer
Professor of International History, Head of Department
London School of Economics (LSE)
Episode: Muslims and Jews' shared inheritance
Maura Smith
Steve Schapiro's wife and filmmaker; director of the documentary Steve Schapiro, Being Everywhere
Being Everywhere
Episode: The life and legacy of Steve Schapiro
Clare Mulley
Author and historian profiled in the episode
Independent author
Episode: Agent Zo, the spy who saved Poland
Craig Fehrman
Author of This Vast Enterprise, A New History of Lewis & Clark
HarperCollins? (not specified in transcript; book author)
Episode: Lewis and Clark’s American Odyssey
Henry Jeffreys
Wine writer and author of Drunk, How We Sipped, Dance and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization
Independent writer/author
Episode: The civilising wonders of wine

Hosts

Alastair Benn
Host of The EI Podcast
Paul Lay
Co-host of The EI Podcast

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 134 ratings
  • Very poor

    The usual partisan flimflam so ubiquitous in today’s podcast landscape. When I recognised an old Oxford professor (and quite a nasty one at that), I knew the show was officially irredeemable!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bibliophenia
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Excellent podcast

    This is a professional high-quality podcast. I have just listened to The Monroe Doctrine episode and found it very insightful hearing from Charlie Laderman. It was also excellently hosted by Jack Dickens. I’m looking forward to future episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rubyviking
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Thought provoking

    Such a well done show. Thoughtful, interesting and informative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bradbel
    United States9 months ago
  • The best podcast this side of the Potomac

    A truly excellent podcast with knowledgeable hosts, fascinating guests and a delightfully eclectic mix of topics. Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    An honourable man
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Shows a consistently strong lineup of guests and compelling topics.
Thought-provoking and high-quality, with insightful guests.
Hosts are knowledgeable and keep discussions engaging.
Episodes offer thoughtful historical and geopolitical analysis with broad appeal.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#204
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#155
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#184
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#159
Philippines/History
Apple Podcasts
#199
Singapore/History
Apple Podcasts
#213
Ukraine/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

China's bid for economic supremacy
Q: What did Xi Jinping likely want from the meeting, and was any of it achieved?
The guest emphasizes that optics showed China comfortable and steering the narrative, with careful leverage over tariffs and diplomatic language, implying any gains were strategic rather than dramatic.
China's bid for economic supremacy
Q: So as an experienced economist and China watcher, what do you make of Donald Trump's recent visit to Beijing last month?
Magnus suggests there were modest expectations, noting a mutual desire to avoid escalation and to maintain dialogue rather than a breakthrough, with limited concessions and a focus on de-escalation.
Why Armenia’s elections matter
Q: Where does this leave the Russian influence and the broader geopolitical architecture in the near abroad?
Russia's influence is diminishing as its soft power wanes and the region diversifies economically and politically. Armenia's future depends on balancing relations with Russia while embracing more autonomous, diversified partnerships with the West and regional players.
Why Armenia’s elections matter
Q: Can you take us through those obstacles a bit more, especially around constitutional reform and peacemaking with Azerbaijan?
Armenia needs a new constitution due to Azerbaijan's demand, but achieving a two-thirds parliamentary majority is challenging. Without constitutional reform, the peace process could stall, and domestic opposition may reject concessions perceived as capitulation to Azerbaijan.
Why Armenia’s elections matter
Q: Can you explain what you see as the dangers moving forward?
The main danger is over-reliance on a single leader in a polarized society, mirroring Georgia's Rose Revolution experience, which risks neglecting durable institutions and risks of backsliding if the political space narrows or external pressures intensify.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The EI Podcast

What is The EI Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show presents thoughtful explorations of history, politics, and culture through archival dives, literary and biographical essays, and interviews with scholars and writers. Episodes frequently center on how past events and ideas shape present-day geopolitics, cultural identity, and public discourse, featuring historians, policy experts, and journalists who reinterpret canonical events and contested histories. A notable strength is the blend of rigorous analysis with accessible storytelling, often centering marginalized voices or overlooked perspectives, and pairing deep research with engaging narrative threads. This mix makes it appealing to listeners who enjoy well-argued takes on large-scale history, international affairs, and the stor... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The EI Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The EI Podcast:

1. Past Present Future
2. The Foreign Affairs Interview
3. The LRB Podcast
4. In Our Time
5. The Econoclasts

How many episodes of The EI Podcast are there?

The EI Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 385 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 The EI Podcast?

Recent guests on The EI Podcast include:

1. Thomas de Waal
2. Malcolm Forbes
3. George Magnus
4. Colin Schindler
5. Marc David Baer
6. Maura Smith
7. Clare Mulley
8. Craig Fehrman

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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