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The TLS Podcast

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

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes623Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FictionSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The TLS Podcast

Latest Episodes

This week, Terri Apter reviews a quartet of books exploring the impact of parenthood on identity, particularly for women; and we revisit Helen Garner, as she wins the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction.

'Four Mothers: A year of motherhood around ... more

This week, Lily Herd introduces us to the concept of Fascist Yoga; and Mark Storey on America’s ghosts.

‘Sick Houses: Haunted Homes and the Architecture of Dread’, by Leila Taylor

‘Haunted States: An American Gothic Guidebook’, by Miranda Corcoran more

This week, Margaret Drabble enjoys an enthralling biography of an adventure writer and his entourage; and Thea Lenarduzzi on the gothic mystery at the heart of her new book.

'Storyteller: The life of Robert Louis Stevenson', by Leo Damrosch

'The To... more

This week, Mary Beard grapples with a noisy new version of Euripides at the National Theatre; and Norma Clarke on the mysterious world of Helen DeWitt's new novel.

'Bacchae', by Nima Taleghani, after Euripedes, Olivier Theatre, National Theatre, Lon... 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

Mark Storey
A reviewer exploring the horror genre in American literature
Episode: Scare Stories
Margaret Drabble
Author and critic, known for her literary reviews
The TLS
Episode: Escape Artists
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!
Helena Kelly
Author of Jane Austen, The Secret Radical, discussing Austen's influence
Episode: All Rise
Alicia Stallings
Oxford Professor of Poetry and Greek scholar
Episode: Epic moves
Lily Herd
Editor of The TLS In Brief pages
The Times Literary Supplement
Episode: Such stuff as dreams are made on
Mark Nayler
Book reviewer for The TLS
The Times Literary Supplement
Episode: Such stuff as dreams are made on
James Shapiro
Professor of English at Columbia University and Shakespeare scholar
Columbia University
Episode: Such stuff as dreams are made on

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 584 ratings
  • 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
  • My favourite podcast

    I love the TLS - intellectually stimulating and conversation about gardening - what’s not to love?! Particularly delighted you included some poetry this week. Thankyou Team TLS

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ktwill1
    United Kingdom2 years 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
#143
Indonesia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#193
South Africa/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#215
Ireland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#250
Chile/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Scare Stories
Q: What inspired your interest in the topic of American Gothic?
Mark discusses how the psychological state of being uncanny is central to understanding horror and Gothic narratives.
Dramatic licence
Q: What is the main theme of Helen DeWitt's new novel?
Norma Clarke discusses the themes of identity, authorship, and the complexities of the writing life explored in the dual-authored narrative.
Dramatic licence
Q: Why wasn't Euripides' Bacchae performed in the modern era until 1908?
Mary Beard explains it was due to its violent subject matter involving mother-son violence and ecstatic cults.
All Rise
Q: What is the context for Jane Austen's work?
Helena explains that Austen's writings are deeply embedded within the political and social context of her time.
All Rise
Q: What form do you feel that confrontation could and should take?
Richard suggests more overt protests and pushback against governmental control.

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 623 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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What guests have appeared on The TLS Podcast?

Recent guests on The TLS Podcast include:

1. Mark Storey
2. Margaret Drabble
3. Thea Lenarduzzi
4. Tim Lake
5. Helena Kelly
6. Alicia Stallings
7. Lily Herd
8. Mark Nayler

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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