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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
Communism

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes144Founded4 years ago
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NewsSociety & CultureNews Commentary

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Artwork for Origin Story

Latest Episodes

Hello and welcome to the final part of the story of European union, in which we finally see the European Union come to pass — and run into trouble.

The transition begins with Jacques Delors, a pragmatic idealist in the mould of Jean Monnet, orchestr... more

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Welcome back to Origin Story and part two of the story of European union. Last time we left Europe in 1955, with Jean Monnet’s European Coal and Steel Community bringing European nations together without military force for the first time.

We pick up... more

YouTube

Hello and welcome to season nine of Origin Story. After last season’s history of socialism, we’re returning to our usual format of taking on a completely different topic each time, and we’re starting with a big one. As we approach the 10th anniversar... more

YouTube

This week’s episode is an edited version of Origin Story Live at London’s Bloomsbury Theatre on Wednesday 15 April 2026. It was a thrill to take the stage in the former terrain of Origin Story regulars such as Jeremy Bentham and John Maynard Keynes. ... more

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Recent Guests

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
Co-host and political commentator, known for insightful political analysis and cultural critique.
Ian Dunt
Co-host and author, engages audiences with an economic perspective and political commentary.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.4k ratings
  • An Absolute Education

    I love the conversational style and choice of topics. I am learning a lot and loving it.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BeSiGu
    United Kingdom6 days ago
  • Simply brilliant

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    OlivierMP
    United Kingdom8 days ago
  • One of my favourites

    Thoroughly informative but so entertaining. This is a podcast I look forward to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @thecartbeforethehorse
    Ireland14 days ago
  • A great listen

    So informative well researched and fun to listen to. Worth it just for Ian’s incredible laugh alone. Only downside is you sometimes have to rewind to listen to a section again to work out who they’re talking about as it’s easy to lose track and they just refer to ‘he/him’ for whole sections at a time. But well worth a listen. Just make sure you are not distracted and able to fully concentrate before pressing play.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Samino
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Home Counties slop

    The flaccid liberalism of yesteryear

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dale Copper
    United Kingdoma month ago

Listeners Say

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

Negative comments focus on the hosts' style over substance, with some finding it overly self-indulgent.
Highly informative with deep research and a balanced perspective on complex subjects.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth exploration of historical contexts and their relevance today.
Hosts are entertaining, mixing humor with serious commentary, making difficult topics accessible.

Chart Rankings

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

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

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Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Origin Story

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

Focused on uncovering the hidden narratives behind misunderstood political concepts, this podcast features in-depth discussions that critically assess ideas prevalent in today's discourse. From the exploration of 'woke' culture to the examination of centrism and conspiracy theories, hosts Ian Dunt and Dorian Lynskey offer a thorough analysis of historical and contemporary political ideologies. Each episode provides rich context and insightful commentary, helping listeners to navigate complex concepts that often dominate media and political discussions. The engaging storytelling, combined with a mix of humor and critical analysis, sets this show apart, making it both educational and entertaining for those interested in politics, social movem... more

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How many listeners does Origin Story get?

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How many subscribers and views does Origin Story have?

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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. Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
5. This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

How many episodes of Origin Story are there?

Origin Story launched 4 years ago and published 144 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. Zohran Mamdani
2. 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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