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In Our Time

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes1150Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for In Our Time

Latest Episodes

Misha Glenny and guests discuss how, after the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1833, sugar planters recruited workers from India to replace or compete with their formerly enslaved labourers. Over the next 90 years, more than a million p... more

Misha Glenny and guests discuss the work of Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972), the graphic artist and printmaker best known for his impossible buildings, paradoxical perspectives, and repeating geometric patterns. Born in Leeuwarden and trained as ... more

Misha Glenny and his guests discuss the most famous oratorio of George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) and his librettist Charles Jennens (1700-1773). For his libretto, Jennens drew from Old and New Testament texts: prophecies about the coming of Jesus, ... more

Misha Glenny and guests discuss a turning point in world affairs in 1898 that left Spain greatly reduced as an imperial power and the US the owner of the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico, with a significant influence over the newly independent Cuba ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sarah Hart
Professor Emerita of Mathematics and Fellow of Birkbeck College, University of London; Fellow of Gresham College
Birkbeck College; Gresham College
Episode: M.C. Escher
Marcus du Sautoy
Professor for the Public Understanding of Science, Professor of Mathematics and Fellow of New College, University of Oxford
University of Oxford
Episode: M.C. Escher
Judith Kadee
Exhibitions Project Manager and Public Programme Curator at Hague Historical Museum
Hague Historical Museum
Episode: M.C. Escher
Donald Burrows
Emeritus professor of music
Open University
Episode: Handel's Messiah
Ruth Smith
Trustee and council member of the Handel Institute
Handel Institute
Episode: Handel's Messiah
Larry Zazzo
Countertenor and senior lecturer in music
Newcastle University
Episode: Handel's Messiah
Frank Cogliano
Professor of American History
University of Edinburgh
Episode: The Spanish-American War 1898
Stephen Wilkinson
Senior Lecturer in Politics and International Relations
University of Buckingham
Episode: The Spanish-American War 1898
Mary Vincent
Professor of Modern European History
University of Sheffield
Episode: The Spanish-American War 1898

Hosts

Misha Glenny
Host of In Our Time, emphasizes the importance of curiosity and engagement with expert guests to facilitate deep discussions on various subjects.
Melvyn Bragg
Former host known for his skilled facilitation of discussions and ability to cultivate engaging conversations among expert guests.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 17.1k ratings
  • Wonder!

    Emotional content of M.C. Escher? Wonder!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KentuckyRobert
    United States7 days ago
  • Melvyn Bragg is Obnoxious

    The show is functionally unlistenable because of the host’s obnoxious and rude behavior towards his guests, particularly those that are women.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    kathrynlawler
    United States9 days ago
  • Empire

    I listened to the Joseph Roth episode. I live in Vienna; my great grandfathers were officers in the KuK army. I’ve read Roth. This was brilliant. Thank you. I’ll be listening to many more episodes of course

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LolaChanning
    United States10 days ago
  • BBC Premium doesn't deliver what it promises

    I have paid for Premium only to discover that all episodes prior to 2015 have ads.

    Why does the BBC think that is fair and reasonable?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    David Sanderson1
    Australia22 days ago
  • Wonderful

    I‘ve always loved this podcast and was very nervous when the change was announced but I‘m so pleased with Misha Glenny as a host. I find he brings the perfect balance of curiosity and respect for the guests and the conversations are a real pleasure to listen to under his stewardship.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Elle Smythe
    Germanya month ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feedback highlights concerns regarding the host's interruptive style, which some find distracting or detrimental to the flow of conversation.
Listeners appreciate the depth and variety of topics covered, often expressing admiration for the expertise of the guests and the engaging discussions facilitated by the hosts.
Overall, audiences value the educational aspect of the show and its ability to present complex subjects in an accessible manner.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#38
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#27
United States/History
Spotify
#17
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#149
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#249
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#11
United Kingdom/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Roman Arena
Q: But Kathleen, if I can bring you in on this issue, we always get the impression that these were fights to the death, but that's not actually the case.
Gladiators were valuable assets to their owners, so they were not typically killed during fights; only about 5% resulted in death, and fights were often structured to avoid fatalities.
The Roman Arena
Q: Matthew, what can you tell us about how these arena games began?
The games began as ritual combat at funerals of aristocrats in Italy, particularly Campania, and evolved as Rome expanded into large spectacles attracting massive audiences as they became politically linked to the magistrates.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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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?

The content focuses on a rich variety of subjects, exploring significant historical events, cultural milestones, and scientific discoveries. Episodes feature in-depth discussions with expert guests who illuminate topics such as the impact of pivotal wars, the complexities of historical figures, and philosophical inquiries that have shaped human thought. Noteworthy discussions encompass everything from the rise and fall of iconic leaders and revolutionary movements to explorations of art and literature, along with scientific principles and their implications on our understanding of the universe. The format promotes an intellectually engaging atmosphere that appeals to listeners eager to enrich their knowledge and understanding of the world.

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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. In Our Time: Culture
3. HistoryExtra podcast
4. The Rest Is History
5. The Ancients

How many episodes of In Our Time are there?

In Our Time launched 21 years ago and published 1150 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 In Our Time?

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What guests have appeared on In Our Time?

Recent guests on In Our Time include:

1. Sarah Hart
2. Marcus du Sautoy
3. Judith Kadee
4. Donald Burrows
5. Ruth Smith
6. Larry Zazzo
7. Frank Cogliano
8. Stephen Wilkinson

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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