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 | 329 | Founded | 3 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsHistoryPolitics | |||
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Latest Episodes
Today’s bad idea is also one that is very hard to pin down: David talks to writer and literary scholar Ian Ellison about the concept of decadence, which went from explaining the fall of ancient Rome to becoming a label modern artists wanted to claim ... more
Today’s bad idea spans literature, film, pop culture and plenty else besides: David talks to literary critic and memoirist Catherine Taylor about what’s wrong with romantic heroes, from Byron and Heathcliff to James Dean and Jack Kerouac to Bridget J... more
Today’s bad idea is one the United States has been stuck with for a long time: David talks to historian of America Adam Smith about the damage done by the idea of the electoral college. Why was it thought necessary by the Founders to have special ele... more
Today’s episode in the history of bad ideas is about one of the central ideas in modern philosophy: utilitarianism, or the view that what matters is the greatest happiness of the greatest number. David talks to philosopher Nikhil Krishnan about how s... more
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Reviews
- Kind of a mess
I listened to most of the episode on deliverism, which was a tangled and confusing mess. The host and guest discussed deliverism for awhile but, at least as far as I got, never stated why it was a “bad idea,” and also failed to acknowledge that a huge part of left populism is delivering concrete promises—as in the “sewer socialism” of Mamdani (which so far has been quite successful, and so contradicts their idea of deliverism as “bad.”). Also, they fail to give an accurate historical definition ... more
Apple Podcasts2AmeliaInTheForest
United States16 days ago - Superb
The world desperately needs good thinkers like David.
Apple Podcasts5Billybill1984United States2 months ago - Always fascinating
Past Present Future - love it . Such a range of topics, covered in intelligent depth by Runciman and guests. I listen whilst out for daily walk and then often revisit to go back over novel ideas and thoughts. I like having novel ideas at 76 yrs!!!
Apple Podcasts5chris mcilwaine
United Kingdom2 months ago - An extra treat whenever Helen and David re-unite
David hosts this varied, contemplative and engaging series of discussions with an easy balance of searching intellect and wry humour. PPF is never better than when David re-unites with his mesmerising erstwhile colleague Helen Thompson, a seemingly inexhaustible well of historic knowledge and analysis. Their regular Talking Politics podcast is much missed.
Apple Podcasts5Angela GreeningUnited Kingdom3 months ago - 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
Australia3 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #126 | United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #33 | United Kingdom/History |
Apple Podcasts | #119 |  Canada/History |
Apple Podcasts | #66 | Australia/History |
Apple Podcasts | #79 |  Italy/History |
Apple Podcasts | #112 |  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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These podcasts share a similar audience with Past Present Future:
1. The LRB Podcast
2. Ones and Tooze
3. London Review Bookshop Podcast
4. Close Readings
5. The Econoclasts
How many episodes of Past Present Future are there?
Past Present Future launched 3 years ago and published 329 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. Jane Green
2. Greg Jenner
3. Ivan Krastev
4. Adam Rutherford
5. Jimmy Wales
6. Catherine Taylor
7. Rob Ford
8. Sarah O'Connor
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