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Reading Our Times

Theos
Consciousness
Human Condition
Artificial Intelligence
Philosophy
Enlightenment
Time
Reality
Democracy
Mental Health
Animal Personhood
Ethical Treatment Of AI
Christianity
United States
Cognition In Animals
Social Justice
Junk Code
AI Safety
Identity Politics
Woke
Economic Insecurity

Reading Our Times is the podcast that explores the books and the ideas that are shaping us today. It is hosted by Nick Spencer, Senior Fellow at the think tank, Theos. We’re going to be talking to some of the world’s leading authors about issues like meritocracy, justice, populism, human rights, the brain, liberalism, and religion. Above all, we'll be exploring what these books have to say about t... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes102Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePhilosophy

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Artwork for Reading Our Times

Latest Episodes

"Woke" has become one of the most contested words in contemporary culture, deployed as a badge of honour by some, a term of abuse by others. But what does it actually mean, and does it constitute a serious ideological movement or merely a passing fas... more

Unpalatable truth as it may be, there are some, especially today, who draw on the Bible to exclude and vilify others, as a way of protecting and the "pure" Christian culture of Europe or the West.

It's not an altogether new phenomenon - people have ... more

Buddhism is often seen in the West as a religion of peace and serenity - rarely, if ever, associated with violence. But that comforting image has obscured a darker and more complex reality playing out across Southeast Asia.

Journalist and author So... more

European Christian politics is not new. Indeed, the religion has been an integral politcal factor for 1700 years. But something has changed over the last 20 years.

Increasingly, a secularised form of Christian politics is taking centre-stage, in whi... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Sonia Faleiro
Journalist and author of The Robe and the Sword
Independent author / Journalist
Episode: How is Buddhist nationalism transforming Asia? In conversation with Sonia Faleiro
Tobias Cremer
Academic in Cambridge and member of the European Parliament
European Parliament, Cambridge (academic)
Episode: How do politicians weaponise Christianity? In conversation with Tobias Cremer
Andrew Whitehead
Associate Professor of Sociology at Clemson University, co-author of Taking America Back for God
Clemson University
Episode: What is (American) Christian nationalism? In conversation with Andrew Whitehead
Eric Storm
Associate Professor of General History at Leiden University
Leiden University
Episode: What can the history of nationalism tell us about its future? In conversation with Eric Storm
Philip Goff
Philosopher at the University of Durham specializing in philosophy of mind and consciousness.
University of Durham
Episode: Does the universe have a purpose? In conversation with Philip Goff
Baroness Susan Greenfield
Neuroscientist and broadcaster, member of the House of Lords
Episode: What is consciousness? In conversation with Baroness Susan Greenfield
Paul Davies
Regents Professor of Physics and Director of the Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science
Arizona State University
Episode: What does Quantum Theory mean? In conversation with Paul Davies
Clare Carlisle
A philosopher and biographer who has written acclaimed books on George Eliot and Soren Kierkegaard.
Episode: What can a life tell us about transcendence? In conversation with Clare Carlisle
Gilbert Markus
Former Dominican friar and researcher in Celtic history and theology
Universities of St Andrews, Edinburgh and Glasgow
Episode: Is God nothing? In conversation with Gilbert Markus

Hosts

Nick Spencer
Host of Reading Our Times
Philip Goff
Philosopher (guest)

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 109 ratings
  • Biased discussions

    To have a meaningful conversation you have to have a balance of views, not just perspectives from people who all agree on the same issue. Disappointing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    EmJG95
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Excellent podcast for exploring ideas

    This is a great place to go for new, exciting, and thoughtful ideas relevant to the modern world. Thanks for the great content!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ZZito10
    United States4 years ago
  • Joyce

    Great show with Helen Joyce! She is fascinating and I am getting her book. Eye opener!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Gnome chopper
    United States4 years ago
  • Engaging and thought provoking

    Have enjoyed listening to articulate thinkers on important topics. Would love to read the books I’ve heard discussed, but if I don’t get to, hearing them discussed is perhaps next best thing. Thank you Theos.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Baz64+
    Australia4 years ago
  • Excellent

    This podcast just keeps on giving. I love the ideas and books. this podcast is very good in getting to the heart the facts. Nick Spencer is up there with the best

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    R bland
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the breadth and intellectual quality, though audio quality and some guests have drawn criticism.
Deep, accessible discussions that illuminate big ideas.
Thoughtful, non-confrontational interviews with leading thinkers.
Host is praised for thoughtful engagement and book-focused conversations.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How is Buddhist nationalism transforming Asia? In conversation with Sonia Faleiro
Q: Can you start by giving us some of the basic demographic and geographic facts relevant to Sri Lanka?
The host asks for demographic and geographic context, noting Sri Lanka's religious diversity and the Sinhalese Buddhists as the historic majority with political influence, setting the stage for nationalist tensions and later violence.
How do politicians weaponise Christianity? In conversation with Tobias Cremer
Q: Can you unpack the major differences you point out between European and American religious landscapes, especially regarding institutional church influence?
The American setup has a more decentralized, less hierarchical structure which makes it harder for faith leaders to speak out publicly, and there's a stronger narrative of persecution that doesn't resonate in the same way as in Europe, where established churches historically shaped public life.
How do politicians weaponise Christianity? In conversation with Tobias Cremer
Q: Tobias, welcome to Reading Our Times.
Thank you for having me, Nick.
What is (American) Christian nationalism? In conversation with Andrew Whitehead
Q: How does Christian nationalism map onto the Supreme Court and political power in the US?
The movement has historically sought to place like-minded individuals into key legal positions, viewing the Supreme Court as a bellwether for national direction; this aligns with a broader strategy from the 1980s onward to elect leaders who will shape the judiciary in ways that support this fusion of church and state beliefs.
What is (American) Christian nationalism? In conversation with Andrew Whitehead
Q: Could you unpack the definition further from your introduction and explain how you measure it empirically?
The definition centers on a specific expression of Christianity fused with civic life, and measuring it empirically involves a six-statement scale about government endorsement of Christian principles in society; the aggregate score indicates degree of embrace, which correlates with attitudes on race, gender, authoritarianism, and related topics.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Reading Our Times

What is Reading Our Times about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on deep ideas drawn from recent books and thinkers across philosophy, science, theology, and culture. Conversations typically unpack big questions—cosmic purpose, the nature of reality, consciousness, time, and the meaning of human life—through rigorous yet accessible dialogue with authors and scholars. The host tends to foreground generous inquiry, careful reading of texts, and a willingness to bridge disciplines, making it a compelling listen for listeners who enjoy thoughtful, book-led exploration of contemporary issues.

A standout aspect is the show's breadth: it pairs rigorous philosophy with science, theology, and humanities, featuring prominent authors and thinkers. The format emphasizes nuance over polemic and oft... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Reading Our Times:

1. The Sacred
2. Re-Enchanting
3. Best of the Spectator
4. Nomad Podcast
5. More or Less

How many episodes of Reading Our Times are there?

Reading Our Times launched 6 years ago and published 102 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 Reading Our Times?

Recent guests on Reading Our Times include:

1. Sonia Faleiro
2. Tobias Cremer
3. Andrew Whitehead
4. Eric Storm
5. Philip Goff
6. Baroness Susan Greenfield
7. Paul Davies
8. Clare Carlisle

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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