Past Present Future
David RuncimanPast Present Future is a bi-weekly History of Ideas podcast with David Runciman, host and creator of Talking Politics, exploring the history of ideas from politics to philosophy, culture to technology. David talks to historians, novelists, scientists and many others about where the most interesting ideas come from, what they mean, and why they matter. Ideas from the past, questions about the prese... more
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 311 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryNewsPolitics | |||
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Latest Episodes
In the second of two episodes about Doris Lessing’s The Golden Notebook, David talks to critic and memoirist Catherine Taylor about the novel’s place in the history of feminism. Is its idea of ‘free women’ meant to be ironic? Why are the things that ... more
In today’s episode David explores Doris Lessing’s bold and brilliant The Golden Notebook (1962), a book about female emancipation, political disillusionment and much, much more. Why did Lessing insist that the novel’s original critics misunderstood w... more
For the first in a new set of episodes about some of the great political fictions of the past hundred years David explores Aldous Huxley’s much misunderstood dystopian masterpiece Brave New World (1932). How did Huxley imagine that a future society c... more
Today’s episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Regent Street Cinema in London: David talks to the writer and broadcaster Helen Lewis about George Clooney’s Good Night, and Good Luck (2005). A film about the golden age of journalism a... more
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Reviews
- Wonderfully eclectic
I’m listening from Australia and enjoy the wide scope of topic. It is fascinating and intellectually stimulating with nice touches of quizzical humour and paradoxical musings.
Apple Podcasts5KimLizzy64
Australiaa month ago - Welcome return of Helen Thompson
Brilliant to have Helen Thompson back with David on this important and fascinating topic. Makes me realise how much I’ve missed the old Talking Politics podcast and the coming together of these two brilliant thinkers and communicators. Much more please.
Apple Podcasts5Kit_44
United Kingdom4 months ago - Horrible Ads Break Into the Conversation
Great topics but the ads are horrible and there is no warning music to let the listener know that they are coming. Such a shame you ruined the listener experience! Please respect the listener and your guests and add some way to alert a listener to the upcoming ads. Take a clue from Ezra Klein on this.
Apple Podcasts1A Turned-off Listener
United States4 months ago - I adore this podcast!
I’ve become someone obsessed with this podcast. So erudite and wide-ranging. The series of deep dives into historical trials is one of the fascinating studies into the intersection of justice and politics that I’ve come across. I also thoroughly recommend subscribing; the bonus eps are just as riveting.
Apple Podcasts5Foresthillbilly95United Kingdom5 months ago - Would’ve been so much better without the propaganda
The Farage episode descended into left wing propaganda before long. Shame they couldn’t bring themselves to produce something impartial and succumbed to the left wing hysteria.
Apple Podcasts1Sw1200United Kingdom5 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #177 | United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #27 | United Kingdom/History |
Apple Podcasts | #163 |  Canada/History |
Apple Podcasts | #54 | Australia/History |
Apple Podcasts | #58 |  Italy/History |
Apple Podcasts | #71 |  Germany/History |
Talking Points
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Frequently Asked Questions About Past Present Future
What is Past Present Future about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A thoughtful, idea-forward program that foregrounds history of ideas through conversations with historians, journalists, scientists, and philosophers. Episodes frequently explore politics, culture, technology, and governance, often tying historical context to contemporary questions about democracy, media, and the future. Notable strengths include high-level, interdisciplinary discussions and a steady stream of expert guests, with a clear inclination toward rigorous analysis and long-form storytelling. Potential listeners include academics, policymakers, and intellectually curious professionals seeking historical perspective on current issues and big ideas that shape the future. The show often features live discussions, historical case studi... more
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Which podcasts are similar to Past Present Future?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Past Present Future:
1. The LRB Podcast
2. Close Readings
3. The Econoclasts
4. Ones and Tooze
5. London Review Bookshop Podcast
How many episodes of Past Present Future are there?
Past Present Future launched 3 years ago and published 311 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 Past Present Future?
Recent guests on Past Present Future include:
1. Rob Ford
2. Sarah O'Connor
3. Misha Glenny
4. James Marriott
5. David Klemperer
6. Adam Smith
7. Lyse Doucet
8. Chris Clark
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