Origin Story
PodmastersWhat 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
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 162 | Founded | 4 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureNewsNews Commentary | |||
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Latest Episodes
This week, while we research a two-parter on the history of libertarianism, we're revisiting the story of the political novelist Ayn Rand. In this episode from 2022 — the first time we chose to focus on an individual rather than an abstract idea — we... more
Hello Origin Story listeners. We’re launching season 10 in the second half of October and to mark that milestone we thought it would be fun to revisit some of our old episodes under the name Origin Story Revisited. Somehow we’ve recorded over 150 epi... more
This week we dive into the life and ideas of John Rawls, the most celebrated liberal philosopher of the post-war period. Even in his own lifetime he was compared to Plato and Hobbes, becoming the only figure of our era to enter the canon of Western t... more
Hello listeners. This week’s episode is an audio recording of our live show at the Union Chapel in London on 1 September 2026. This time we did something different and made a live show out of a classic Origin Story narrative. It’s the story of how th... more
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- Love it.
Such an entertaining, funny and informative podcast series. Always so happy when a new ep comes out. Beaut.
Apple Podcasts5EKearn24
Australia2 months 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 Podcasts5Miss Proud
United Kingdom2 months 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 Podcasts1sandman1234United Kingdom3 months ago - Good pod!
Another great pod from Dorian and Ian. Always good to look back on previous comments. And be quite prescient
Apple Podcasts516DomUnited Kingdom3 months 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 Podcasts1Free market MarxistUnited Kingdom3 months ago
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Chart Rankings
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Spotify | #48 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #92 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #142 | Australia/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #110 |  Philippines/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #138 |  Singapore/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #194 |  New Zealand/Society & Culture |
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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.
Where can I find podcast stats for Origin Story?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Origin Story. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Origin Story and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does Origin Story get?
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What are the audience demographics for Origin Story?
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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 – Your daily news Deep Dive
3. Quiet Riot
4. Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell
5. American Friction
How many episodes of Origin Story are there?
Origin Story launched 4 years ago and published 162 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for 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.