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The TLS Podcast

The TLS
Gardening
Literature
Psychedelics
Mental Health
Richard Sennett
Therapeutic Use Of Substances
Self-Consciousness
Mean Girls
Feminist Literature
18th Century Literature
Boris Johnson
Medieval Magic
Charles Dickens
Penelope Lively
Josephine Lively
Maritime History
Chatgpt
Teen Culture
Maeve Brennan
Henry David Thoreau

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes627Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureFiction

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Latest Episodes

This week, Camille Ralphs confides the highs and lows of travelling by Greyhound bus; and Alev Adil boards a train to join current night owls and bygone tourists.

'Greyhound', by Joanna Pocock

'Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train', b... more

This week, Damian Flanagan explores the complex history of the Japanese masterpiece The Tale of Genji; and Miranda France on the eventful life and enduring work of Miguel de Cervantes.

'The Tale of Genji', by Murasaki Shikibu

'El Verano de Cervante... more

This week, TLS contributors select their favourites from 2025; plus an interview with CD Rose, winner of this year’s Goldsmiths Prize.

‘We Live Here Now’, by CD Rose

Produced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform... more

This week, how well does Alan Hollinghurst's novel The Line of Beauty translate to the stage? And Toby Lichtig interviews the newest winner of the Booker Prize, David Szalay.

'The Line of Beauty', by Jack Holden, based on the novel by Alan Hollinghu... 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

Damian Flanagan
Literary scholar and contributor
Episode: Foundation course
CD Rose
Winner of this year's Goldsmiths Prize.
Author of 'We Live Here Now'
Episode: Books of the Year
David Szalay
Winner of the Booker Prize for his novel Flesh
Episode: Devices and Desires
Terri Apter
Psychologist and author of several books on parenting and childhood
Author
Episode: Motherload
Mark Storey
A reviewer exploring the horror genre in American literature
Episode: Scare Stories
Thea Lenarduzzi
Author of 'Dandelions' and new book 'The Tower'
The TLS
Episode: Escape Artists
Tim Lake
Writer discussing Bertie Wooster's character
Episode: What Ho!
Richard Sennett
Author and sociologist discussing the role of universities
Episode: All Rise
Helena Kelly
Author of Jane Austen, The Secret Radical, discussing Austen's influence
Episode: All Rise

Hosts

Alex Clarke
Host of The TLS Podcast, a frequent voice in literary discussions, engaging with various authors and critics.
Lucy Dallas
Arts editor at The TLS and co-host, known for her engaging conversations and insights into literature and the arts.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 587 ratings
  • 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 Kingdom17 days 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
    Philippinesa year 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 Kingdoma year ago
  • great show in spite of the awful jarring theme music

    Podcast Addict
    4
    Elan Mask
    a year ago
  • Nice podcast but ….

    I love Lucy Dallas’ warmth and knowing - might she just host alone?

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Susanfriberg
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

A few express dissatisfaction with the podcast's shift towards more niche literary subjects, desiring a broader focus.
Many praise the hosts for their warmth and intelligence, particularly enjoying the blend of humor and critical analysis.
Listeners appreciate the variety of topics and the insightful discussions on literature and culture.
There are concerns regarding the audio quality and some feedback on the hosts' banter overshadowing the substance.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#202
United Kingdom/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#240
Italy/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#186
Ireland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#198
South Africa/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#233
India/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Books of the Year
Q: Do you think it is a boom time for narrative experimentation?
Yes, different ways of storytelling are emerging, enriching literature and creative writing.
Books of the Year
Q: Did you set it in the art world partly because of the idea of the art look?
Yes, the art look allowed the focus on people at openings while often losing sight of the actual art.
Books of the Year
Q: Was that the primary kind of challenge?
The challenge was about defining the novel by absence while exploring presence in terms of art and experience.
Books of the Year
Q: How does it feel to win the prize?
CD Rose expressed that it was overwhelming and unexpected, as he felt flattered to be on the shortlist amidst strong competition.
Devices and Desires
Q: What did you mean by risky?
I was talking about various aspects of the book, including the central character's opacity and the risks taken with the material.

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?

Engaging with an array of literary and cultural topics, this podcast fosters in-depth discussions that often feature guests from the literary world, including authors, critics, and scholars. Episodes frequently tackle significant themes in literature—historical figures like Shakespeare and contemporary issues reflected in works by both well-known and emerging authors. Additionally, the podcast demonstrates an interest in the interplay between literature and other fields, such as environmentalism and politics, thus making it a rich resource for those passionate about the arts and societal issues. Its conversational style, infused with insightful commentary and the hosts' expertise, further adds to the appeal, providing listeners with well-ro... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The TLS Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The TLS Podcast:

1. London Review Bookshop Podcast
2. The LRB 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 627 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 TLS Podcast?

Recent guests on The TLS Podcast include:

1. Damian Flanagan
2. CD Rose
3. David Szalay
4. Terri Apter
5. Mark Storey
6. Thea Lenarduzzi
7. Tim Lake
8. Richard Sennett

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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