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The TLS Podcast

The TLS
Literature
Shakespeare
Edna O'brien
Poetry
Dylan Thomas
Gardening
Virginia Woolf
Jane Austen
World War II
Paris
Psychedelics
Charles Dickens
Irish Women's Representation
Brexit
Translation
Booker Prize
Mental Health
Han Kang
Nobel Prize In Literature
James Baldwin

A weekly podcast on books and culture brought to you by the writers and editors of the Times Literary Supplement.

To read more, welcome to the TLS.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes654Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FictionSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The TLS Podcast

Latest Episodes

This week, Toby Lichtig on a constellation of new fiction; and Merlin Holland on the afterlife of his grandfather, Oscar Wilde.

'The Palm House', by Gwendoline Riley

'Devotions: Eight Stories', by Lucy Caldwell

'The Tribe', by Michael Arditti

'Lá... more

April is behind us - here's a look back at some of the conversations we've had this month on The TLS Podcast.

We hear from Fiona Stafford on encounters with remarkable trees, Emily Herring on why we should all slow down a little, Emma Smith on how ... more

This week, Russell Williams on the French writers laying down their pens; and John-Paul Stonard hails a bravura production of Bertolt Brecht.

The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until May 30

Produced by Charlotte Pa... more

This week, Sara Wheeler reflects on monumental task of becoming Jan Morris's biographer; and Abigail Dembo reads us an intriguing new poem.

'Jan Morris: A Life', by Sara Wheeler

'He Wore His Leather Coat', by Abigail Dembo

Produced by Charlotte Pa... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sara Wheeler
Biographer and travel writer
Independent/Author
Episode: On the Road
Abigail Dembo
Poet
Poet, TLS contributor
Episode: On the Road
Emma Smith
Shakespeare scholar and author discussed in interview
Episode: Grief Work
Emily Herring
Reviewer contributing to TLS piece on leisure and mind wandering
TLS contributor
Episode: Cool Your Jets!
Ana Alicia Garza
Scholar who reviews Dickens and the Victorians
TLS contributor
Episode: Cool Your Jets!
John Banville
Novelist and critic; discussed Mary Lavin and her place in Irish literature
Independent/Author
Episode: That Old Chestnut
Fiona Stafford
Author of The Long, Long Life of Trees; discusses trees and their impact
Oxford University Press/Author
Episode: That Old Chestnut
Michael Morpurgo
Children's author; interviewee focusing on railways and West Country
Self/PNK
Episode: From trains to treaties
Tim Bouverie
Historian, author of Allies at War, talks about wartime diplomacy
TLS
Episode: From trains to treaties

Hosts

Alex Clarke
Host of The TLS Podcast; involved in literary discussions.
Lucy Dallas
Arts Editor at The TLS; co-host and contributor to literary discussions.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 590 ratings
  • Intelligent and pleasant

    Intelligent chatter in a pleasant mood.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Flodysseus
    Germanya month ago
  • If only they would focus on the substance

    Good guests and interviews but the opening chit chat between the two main hosts is not for me. I avoid podcasts which are more about the interaction between hosts than substance. I don’t care what these two have been up to in the last week. I fast forward past the small talk, which absolutely does not make me feel like part of their gang, to get to the point with this one if the topic looks worthwhile. The chatter does decrease once they get down to business but even so..

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Lacwn
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Audio quality is poor

    Almost always interesting literary discussions but the audio quality is so bad. Get a new audio engineer.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Manila Ph listener
    Philippines2 years ago
  • Fine once you get to the substance

    Good guests and interviews but the opening chit chat is not for me. I avoid podcasts which are more about the interaction between hosts than substance. I fast forward past the small talk to get to the point with this one. The chatter does cease once they get down to business

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Lacwn
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • great show in spite of the awful jarring theme music

    Podcast Addict
    4
    Elan Mask
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the podcast for its intellectual depth and engaging discussions but express a desire for improved audio quality.
Feedback indicates that while the literary discussions are often enriching, there are concerns about the balance between host interactions and substantive content.
The hosts are appreciated for their chemistry and warmth, enhancing the listening experience despite some critiques of the content focus.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#135
Indonesia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#155
Poland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#175
Ireland/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Grief Work
Q: Explain a bit about that, if you would.
Lucy Dallas invites Emma to discuss the Quiney family's connection to Shakespeare and how the Erasmus text in Book Culture in Shakespeare's Stratford illuminates Stratford's educated culture, challenging the notion of Shakespeare as a solitary genius.
Grief Work
Q: I wonder if you could just say a bit more about that.
Emma Smith expands on the idea that the field's obsession with recovered artifacts should be tempered by recognizing that there is a deliberate limit to what can be known, and that scholarly work often contends with partial or curated archives rather than complete truths.
On the Road
Q: Did you know Jan Morris beforehand, Sara, and how did your relationship to her influence the biography?
I knew her a little bit and had met her; I spent a day writing a profile and later engaged with her work from the periphery, which helped me approach her life with both affectionate insight and critical distance.
From trains to treaties
Q: What were books for you as a child and how did reading shape your later life?
Books were the shelter and the music of life in my family, read aloud by my mother; they sparked imagination and a lifelong passion for storytelling.
Darkness Visible
Q: What happens when things ferment?
Fermentation harnesses good microbes to transform food while pushing out bad microorganisms.

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 TLS Podcast

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

This podcast offers engaging discussions on literature, culture, and various intellectual topics. The episodes feature diverse narratives, from deep dives into classic works, contemporary literature, and the interplay between social issues and the arts, often with a cultural twist. Themes like the significance of translation, the influence of historical texts, and the relationship between literature and personal narratives are frequently explored.

Hosts share insightful commentary on cultural events, literary new releases, and the intersection of books with societal trends. The podcast manages to strike a balance between scholarly discussion and accessible content, making it appealing to a broad audience interested in deepening their under... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers The TLS Podcast 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 The TLS Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The TLS Podcast:

1. The LRB Podcast
2. London Review Bookshop Podcast
3. Close Readings
4. Backlisted
5. The Book Club

How many episodes of The TLS Podcast are there?

The TLS Podcast launched 12 years ago and published 654 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 The TLS Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The TLS Podcast?

Recent guests on The TLS Podcast include:

1. Sara Wheeler
2. Abigail Dembo
3. Emma Smith
4. Emily Herring
5. Ana Alicia Garza
6. John Banville
7. Fiona Stafford
8. Michael Morpurgo

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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