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In Our Time

BBC Radio 4
French Revolution
Philosophy
Poetry
Thomas Hardy
Christianity
Evolution
Napoleon Bonaparte
Waltz
Germinal
General Relativity
Quantum Physics
Thomas Wyatt
Consciousness
Battle Of Valmy
Persian Empire
Pheromones
Vincent Van Gogh
World War II
Wormholes
Post-Literate Society

Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Misha Glenny and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world. History fans can learn about pivotal wars and societal upheavals, such as the rise and fall of Napoleon, the Sack of Rome in 15... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1163Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for In Our Time

Latest Episodes

To the frustration of many, a lot of women’s clothes don’t have pockets. But why on Earth is that the case? Especially when men’s clothing seems to be full of pockets.

On Here For The History, Alice Loxton and Ben Henderson track the tumultuous and ... more

Widely regarded as the first professional woman writer in English literature, Aphra Behn (1640-1689) is best known for her plays and her novel Oroonoko, she's been an inspiration to countless writers across the ages.

This archive episode, first rele... more

Misha Glenny and guests discuss a familiar feature of our beaches: seashells, from their astonishing shapes and patterns that teach us about Earth’s oceans, to the ways that humans have treasured shells throughout history. Seashells appear in the myt... more

Misha Glenny and guests discuss the French portrait painter Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755 - 1842). From her teens she delighted her high society subjects in and around Paris, notably Marie Antoinette who she painted around 30 times, and she invariabl... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
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Recent Guests

Hannah Carlson
Pocket historian, author of Pockets, An Intimate History of How We Keep Things Close
Independent scholar / author
Episode: Pockets (from Here For The History)
Arianne Fennetaux
Co-author of The Pocket, historian
Historian / author
Episode: Pockets (from Here For The History)
Claire Bowditch
Postdoctoral research associate in English and drama
Loughborough University
Episode: Archive: Aphra Behn
Janet Todd
Former president of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge University
University of Oxford (via Ros Ballaster mentions)
Episode: Archive: Aphra Behn
Ros Ballaster
Professor of 18th century literature
Mansfield College, University of Oxford
Episode: Archive: Aphra Behn
Suzanne Williams
Merit Researcher at the Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
Episode: Seashells
Liz Harper
Professor of Evolutionary Malacology
University of Cambridge
Episode: Seashells
Helen Scales
Marine Biologist and Author
Independent/Author
Episode: Seashells
Francesca Whitlum-Cooper
Curator of Later Italian, Spanish and French Paintings, National Gallery, London
National Gallery, London
Episode: Vigée Le Brun

Host

Misha Glenny
Host of In Our Time

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 17.2k ratings
  • Secular timeline confusion and distraction

    For the regular listener who is not a member of academia or the scientific community I.e. your target audience, please, please, go back to using BC and AD. The new inclusive terms are too confusing and distracting. Are listeners really offended by the terms society has used for CENTURIES!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Insomniac 64
    United States25 days ago
  • Spam

    Feed gets spammed with other programmes

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bob Cranshaw
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Best Of Our Time

    In Our Time is one of the best programs the BBC has produced in either radio or Television. The eclectic mix of topics is a constant delight. I would happily pay my licence fee just to ensure it remains on air

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FinnParker99
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Levellers

    I love In Our Time, which has greatly advanced my education. However, I was disappointed that the episode about the Levellers ignored their deep Christian convictions and Bible roots. Even if the panelists themselves are not Christian they should have the intellectual integrity to acknowledge where the Levellers got their ideas from.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Jalal1951
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • In good hands

    This is one of my favorite podcasts, and I couldn’t really imagine it with another host. After listening to the latest episodes i can see that the essence remains the same. I am enjoying the new host and the choice of topics. There seems to be a new sensitivity and perspective that brings something fresh while staying true to what made the podcast so great in the first place. Congratulations to everybody involved.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Daniela del Pomar
    Germany2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

A few criticisms mention pacing or host style in certain episodes.
High regard for the quality and breadth of topics across disciplines.
Thoughtful, balanced discussions that invite expert voices and civility.
Listeners appreciate accessible, evidence-based conversations with scholars.
Host is praised for curiosity and respect, though some listeners note interruptions can occur.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#42
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#20
United States/History
Spotify
#17
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#107
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#215
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#13
Canada/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Machado de Assis
Q: Claire, how does Dom Casmurro address issues of trust and responsibility within a patriarchal society?
Through a first-person narrator who claims to tell Capitu's story, the novel invites doubt about fidelity and truth, revealing how the narrator's biases shape perception and critique of social roles.
Machado de Assis
Q: Ana Cláudia, what was Machado de Assis's first break as a writer?
He began in collaboration with a local press and through translating poetry and novels, while also writing poetry and engaging with literary circles, which helped him gain visibility as a writer.
Handel's Messiah
Q: How has Messiah evolved in performance practice over time?
The guests note that Handel created many versions to suit different singers and spaces, from large choirs to intimate orchestration, and modern performances continue to experiment with forces while maintaining the core emotional trajectory of the piece.
Handel's Messiah
Q: Why did Messiah premiere in Dublin and how did that affect its reception?
They discuss how Dublin offered professional choirs, charitable venues, and a favorable cultural climate, which helped Messiah gain acclaim and set the stage for its later London reception and the debates about sacred content in theatre spaces.
Handel's Messiah
Q: What was the relationship between the libretto and Handel's musical choices in Messiah?
The panel explains that Jennens supplied a scripture-based text, which Handel then musically interpreted with a strong emphasis on contrast, mood, and imagery, allowing the music to carry both dramatic and spiritual weight without a single narrative storyline.

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 In Our Time

What is In Our Time about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show targets curious, knowledge-seeking listeners who relish deep dives across history, science, culture, and philosophy, often featuring expert panels that unpack complex ideas with historical context and interdisciplinary connections. Episodes frequently pair humanities scholars with scientists or mathematicians to illuminate topics from ancient law to modern technology, highlighting how ideas shape civilization. A notable strength is the breadth of subjects covered, the rigor of the discussions, and the sustained emphasis on accessible, thoughtful dialogue led by a seasoned host. The format tends to attract listeners who enjoy scholarly yet approachable conversations and who value credible, well-sourced analysis over sensationalism.... more

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Which podcasts are similar to In Our Time?

These podcasts share a similar audience with In Our Time:

1. In Our Time: History
2. HistoryExtra podcast
3. The Rest Is History
4. The Ancients
5. Empire: World History

How many episodes of In Our Time are there?

In Our Time launched 21 years ago and published 1163 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 In Our Time?

Recent guests on In Our Time include:

1. Hannah Carlson
2. Arianne Fennetaux
3. Claire Bowditch
4. Janet Todd
5. Ros Ballaster
6. Suzanne Williams
7. Liz Harper
8. Helen Scales

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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