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The EI Podcast

Engelsberg Ideas
Cold War
Soviet Union
ISIS
United States
Czechoslovakia
Africa
Boer War
Crippen Murder Case
Geopolitics
National Liberation Movements
Military Security
Edwardian Era
Russia
Iraq War
Saddam Hussein
Pearl Harbor
Intelligence Studies
Economic Aid
Foreign Policy
National Security

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes366Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryGovernment

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Latest Episodes

Elisabeth Kendall speaks to EI’s Jack Dickens about what motivates the Houthis. Following the outbreak of the war in Iran, the Yemeni militant group now has an outsized ability to disrupt global trade and threaten regional stability in the Middle Eas... more

YouTube

When combined, as the ancients knew, history and poetry offer an incomparable insight into the human condition. Michael Auslin laments the demise of poetry as a form for exploring great moments in history.

Image: Hector taking leave of Andromache. ... more

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Adrian Wooldridge speaks to EI’s Paul Lay about his new book, Centrists of the World Unite! The Lost Genius of Liberalism. He believes that the West can only overcome its current malaise by rediscovering and reviving the liberal tradition.

Image: En... more

YouTube

The Society of Aurelians brought butterflies out of their undeserved obscurity. Nigel Andrew’s audio essay sheds new light on Britain’s first entomological society. Read by Leighton Pugh.

Image: Detail from ‘The Aurelian; a Natural History of Englis... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Elisabeth Kendall
Expert on Yemen, the Houthis and jihadist movements in the Arab world
Girton College, Cambridge
Episode: The Houthis’ forever war
Michael Auslin
Historian and writer invited to discuss the role of epic poetry in interpreting history
Episode: Can epic poetry revive History?
Adrian Wooldridge
Global business columnist at Bloomberg
Bloomberg
Episode: The need for muscular liberalism
Nigel Andrew
Entomologist and storyteller introducing the history of butterfly collecting
The EI Podcast (contributor)
Episode: The first butterfly collectors
Shiraz Maher
Reader in non-state actors at King's College London's Center for Statecraft and National Security
King's College London
Episode: The Gulf’s Iran dilemma
Phillip Dolitsky
Co-essayist on mega-influencers
Episode: The rise of the mega-influencer
Luke Moon
Co-essayist on mega-influencers
Episode: The rise of the mega-influencer
Leo Damrosch
Author of 'Storyteller, The Life of Robert Louis Stevenson'
Episode: The strange case of Robert Louis Stevenson
Helen Thompson
Professor of Political Economy at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Episode: The instability of a multipolar era

Hosts

Alastair Benn
Co-host of The EI Podcast; sometimes Deputy Editor of Engelsberg Ideas; frequently hosts discussions on history and culture.
Paul Lay
Co-host of The EI Podcast; Senior Editor at Engelsberg Ideas; engages in historical and geopolitical analysis.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 123 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 Kingdom17 days 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 Kingdom3 months ago
  • Thought provoking

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bradbel
    United States6 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.

Eclectic topics with strong hosts and credible guests.
Thought-provoking and engaging; fosters critical thinking.
Professional, high-quality discussions with knowledgeable guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#226
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#91
Hong Kong/History
Apple Podcasts
#105
India/History
Apple Podcasts
#141
Finland/History
Apple Podcasts
#143
Ireland/History
Apple Podcasts
#155
Japan/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The need for muscular liberalism
Q: What role do historical figures like Hobbes, Montesquieu, and Erasmus play in shaping liberal thought, and how do their ideas translate to today's world?
Hobbes introduced the idea of preserving individuals through a social contract; Montesquieu emphasized the spirit of laws and division of power within a liberal culture; Erasmus framed liberalism as a way of life rooted in doubt and liberty, all contributing to a nuanced, modern liberalism that values both rights and civic restraint.
The need for muscular liberalism
Q: How do you define liberalism, and what is its essential core beyond the different political flavors?
The core of liberalism rests on three pillars: individualism, tolerance or doubt, and constraints on power, with flexibility in how these are implemented across different institutional forms.
The Gulf’s Iran dilemma
Q: What could a more pragmatic Iranian stance look like if the region shifts again?
The guest suggests a path where Iran, under domestic pressures, reduces aggressive regional adventurism, engages more inwardly, and tolerates a limited set of regional norms, provided it can preserve its core interests and avoid direct confrontation with the West, while neighbors adjust their expectations and alliances accordingly.
The Gulf’s Iran dilemma
Q: How has the 1979 revolution influenced the Sunni-Shia dynamics and the region's politics?
The host points to the 1979 revolution as a catalyst for increased Sunni religious conservatism in Saudi policy, the rise of cross-border proxy networks, and long-standing competition with Iran that has shaped regional alignments and security calculations.
The Gulf’s Iran dilemma
Q: What role do Qatar and Oman play as mediators in this crisis?
Qatar is presented as an active broker with a history of hosting talks and engaging with the Taliban, while Oman maintains a traditional, low-profile diplomacy and has acted as a go-between during high-tension periods, aiming to reduce confrontation and facilitate dialogue.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The EI Podcast

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

This weekly series pairs sharp historical analysis with thought-provoking essays from leading writers and historians. Across recent episodes, topics span the enduring influence of mega-influencers on public discourse, geopolitical power shifts in multipolar worlds, and deep dives into literature, philosophy, and science. The conversations often blend rigorous scholarship with accessible storytelling, offering historical context and contemporary implications for media literacy, policy, and culture. A notable strength is the range of guests—from historians and political economists to literary critics and neuroscientists—providing varied perspectives on power, truth, and society, often challenging prevailing narratives. The format's strength l... 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 LRB Podcast
3. The Rachman Review
4. In Moscow's Shadows
5. Empire: World History

How many episodes of The EI Podcast are there?

The EI Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 366 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. Elisabeth Kendall
2. Michael Auslin
3. Adrian Wooldridge
4. Nigel Andrew
5. Shiraz Maher
6. Phillip Dolitsky
7. Luke Moon
8. Leo Damrosch

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