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The EI Podcast

Engelsberg Ideas
Russia
China
Cold War
Ukraine
Artificial Intelligence
United States
Geopolitics
NATO
Liberty
Democracy
Soviet Union
European 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 weeklyEpisodes390Founded6 years ago
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HistoryGovernment

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Latest Episodes

Russia is a Near Eastern country now subordinated to East Asia. But Stephen Kotkin argues that historically it has prospered most when tied closely to Europe.

Read the original essay here: engelsbergideas.com/essays/where-is-russias-place-in... more

What does Christ’s Kingdom owe to the culture of the Roman Empire? Tim Whitmarsh speaks to EI’s Alastair Benn about his new book, Rome’s Age of Revolution: Augustus, Empire and the Making of Christianity.

Image: A statue of Augustus Caesar in Turin.... more

The filmmaker Jean Eustache’s interest in rural France and his sardonic scepticism about the May ’68 ideologues mark him out from his Nouvelle Vague contemporaries. Read by Leighton Pugh.

Read the original essay here: engelsbergideas.com/por... more

Margaret MacMillan speaks to EI’s Jack Dickens about how wars – and attempts to bring about peace – have shaped every era of human history.

Image: Franklin D. Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin at the Yalta Conference, 1945. Credit: Alamy

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Recent Guests

Margaret MacMillan
Historian offering analysis on Vienna vs Versailles
Episode: How to end a war
Andrew Ehrhardt
Historian providing insights on the Congress of Vienna and post-Napoleonic order
Episode: How to end a war
Frank Gavin
Kissinger Center scholar, Johns Hopkins University
Kissinger Center, Johns Hopkins University
Episode: How to end a war
Baroness Ashton
Former European Commission High Representative and Vice President
Episode: How to end a war
Brian Appleyard
Author of Testament to Doomed Media; commentator on media and culture
Engelsberg Ideas
Episode: Testament to doomed media
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

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 Kingdom6 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
#206
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#249
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#134
South Korea/History
Apple Podcasts
#136
Singapore/History
Apple Podcasts
#143
Sweden/History
Apple Podcasts
#174
Philippines/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

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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 Secrets of Statecraft
3. The Foreign Affairs Interview
4. The LRB Podcast
5. Independent Thinking

How many episodes of The EI Podcast are there?

The EI Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 390 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. Margaret MacMillan
2. Andrew Ehrhardt
3. Frank Gavin
4. Baroness Ashton
5. Brian Appleyard
6. Thomas de Waal
7. Malcolm Forbes
8. George Magnus

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