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Origin Story

Podmasters
Socialism
Thatcherism
Donald Trump
Labour Party
Brexit
Margaret Thatcher
Soviet Union
New Left
Civil Rights Movement
Martin Luther King Jr.
Che Guevara
Daily Mail
Eugenics
Falklands War
Neoliberalism
Fascism
Genocide
BBC
Benjamin Netanyahu
Conspiracy Theories

What are the real stories behind the most misunderstood and abused ideas in politics? From Conspiracy Theory to Woke to Centrism and beyond, Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey dig into the astonishing secret histories of concepts you thought you knew. Want to support us in making future seasons? There are now two ways you can help out: • Patreon – Get early episodes, live Zooms, merchandise and more from... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes158Founded4 years ago
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Society & CultureNewsNews Commentary

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Artwork for Origin Story

Latest Episodes

Hello and welcome to a bonus episode of Origin Story. This time we tell the story of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, the legislation that prohibited local councils from funding the “promotion” of homosexuality and cast a chilling shadow ... more

YouTube

Welcome to another bonus episode of Origin Story, where we look at the short and extraordinary life of the Duke of Buckingham (1592–1628). It's a bizarre, tragic tale which weaves together queer history, courtly romance, unending war and the early re... more

YouTube

Tickets are flying out of the door for Ian and Dorian’s biggest live show yet at the stunning Union Chapel in London’s sophisticated Islington on Tue 1 Sept.

A spectacular Gothic Revival church on Upper Street, the Union Chapel is a breathtaking ven... more

Welcome to a bonus episode of Origin Story. For the first time, we’re revisiting an earlier episode to ask what we got right and what we got wrong about the subject. Just before the July 2024 election we profiled Labour’s PM-in-waiting Keir Starmer a... more

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Recent Guests

Mujtaba Rahman
Managing Director, Europe, Eurasia Group; Senior Research Fellow at LSE European Institute
Eurasia Group / LSE European Institute
Episode: European Union – Part Three – The Expanse
Zohran Mamdani
Young democratic socialist politician, recently elected as New York's youngest mayor since 1892
New York State Assembly
Episode: Origin Story – Live at the Tabernacle, 13th Nov 2025
Zack Polanski
Chair of the Environment Committee at the London Assembly, prominent Green Party politician
London Assembly
Episode: Origin Story – Live at the Tabernacle, 13th Nov 2025

Hosts

Dorian Lynskey
Host of Origin Story with a focus on political ideas and their histories; frequently contributes sharp, historically informed commentary.
Ian Dunt
Co-host with a track record of critical political analysis, chaos-taming humor, and history-informed perspectives.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings
  • Love it.

    Such an entertaining, funny and informative podcast series. Always so happy when a new ep comes out. Beaut.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EKearn24
    Australia15 days ago
  • Exceptional in every way!

    I LOVE this podcast! I listen to many current affairs/political podcasts and Origin Story leaves them all in the shade. Ian and Dorian meticulously research every chosen topic and even when it’s something I hadn’t initially thought I’d find interesting, I’m always engrossed within minutes. The OED definition of Origin Story should read - an exceptional passion project of a podcast, created by two friends …and we’re dead lucky that we can all listen in! Charming, informative, the best! Thank you ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Miss Proud
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Painfully bad

    If you would like to hear the origins of various political ideas through the warped lense of two posh & conceited w****rs then this is the pod for you!

    Ian and Dorian have clearly never lived in the real world or spent much time away from their cosy liberal elite bubble. They do not have the mental capacity or willingness to understand why the rest of the country thinks differently to them. Dorian has that unbearable middle class drawl that you overhear when you are unfortunate enough to visit a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    sandman1234
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Good pod!

    Another great pod from Dorian and Ian. Always good to look back on previous comments. And be quite prescient

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    16Dom
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Sanctimonious pseudo intellectual nonsense

    What a pair of completely ideologically captured people, unbelievable that these views are still a thing considering the last few years..

    Idiots like this and the views they push are exactly why the country is in the mess it’s in..

    Out of touch beyond belief!

    Children of Blair with their Mickey Mouse degrees in full effect!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Free market Marxist
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate accessible history-tocused storytelling and guests or references that deepen understanding.
Some listeners critique perceived bias and smugness, especially around controversial topics.
Overall, audiences praise the sharp, entertaining delivery and deep dives into ideas.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Origin Story – Live at the Tabernacle, 13th Nov 2025
Q: Where do you think pride in being English becomes unhelpful?
Pride should reflect a plurality and inclusiveness encompassing the lives of all citizens, rather than a rigid, nationalistic view that marginalizes others.
US Post-Election Live Show – Part Two
Q: Do you think the army could resist any really extreme requests that Trump could make of them, and could that be his limiting factor?
There's often a strong resistance within the military to serve an autocrat, evidenced by past behaviors of generals like John Kelly.
US Post-Election Live Show – Part Two
Q: How could you describe the way in which he could physically somehow overthrow American democracy?
The system would be exactly as we saw last time, but in four years time. Everyone's fine with democracy when they're winning, but when you're losing, that's when the problems arise.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Origin Story

What is Origin Story about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two hosts unpack the real histories and origins of big political ideas, from movements and institutions to public figures and cultural myths. Across episodes they weave rigorous historical context with sharp, often irreverent commentary, tracing how concepts like think tanks, campaigns, and policy shifts gain traction in media and politics. The show stands out for its narrative storytelling, willingness to challenge received wisdom, and a consistent focus on how money, power, and narrative shape public discourse. Listeners can expect thoughtful, entertaining deep-dives that connect past debates to today's political landscape, with a penchant for uncovering the incentives behind ideas and the people promoting them.

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How many listeners does Origin Story get?

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How many subscribers and views does Origin Story have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Origin Story 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 Origin Story?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Origin Story:

1. Oh God, What Now?
2. The Bunker – News without the nonsense
3. Quiet Riot
4. This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler
5. Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell

How many episodes of Origin Story are there?

Origin Story launched 4 years ago and published 158 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 Origin Story?

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What guests have appeared on Origin Story?

Recent guests on Origin Story include:

1. Mujtaba Rahman
2. Zohran Mamdani
3. Zack Polanski

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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