Rephonic
Artwork for Reading Our Times

Reading Our Times

Theos
Consciousness
Artificial Intelligence
Human Condition
Ethical Treatment Of AI
Animal Personhood
AI Safety
Junk Code
Cognition In Animals
The Machine Age
Socioeconomic Inequality
Elon Musk
Alien Life
Robot Souls
Elephant Personhood Case
Climate Change
Technology and Work
John Maynard Keynes
Bletchley Park
Astrobiology
Philosophy Of Mind

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes90Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophySociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Reading Our Times

Latest Episodes

Many of the New Atheist arrows fired in the religion wars of 2000s and 2010s hit their target well and hard. The question is, was it the right target?

Believers often claim that atheists don't believe in the kind of God that they themselves don't be... more

Recent decades have seen the gene as supreme in all discussions of what life is and how it works. Whether selfish, co-operative or eternal, it's genes that matter.

But that picture is changing, in favour of a much subtler, more complex and more laye... more

Reading our Times is back – and this series we’re getting metaphysical.

We're going to be talking about the building blocks of life, the universe and reality, with scientists, philosophers, theologians and poets.

We’ll be talking to Clare Carlisl... more

Western societies have fallen out of love with (having) children, and all too often this is treated as a policy problem. But in reality, it's a much deeper personal and philosophical one.

What has changed in our attitudes to having children? How do... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Philip Ball
A prolific science writer and author of 'How Life Works'
Episode: How does life work? In conversation with Philip Ball
Clare Carlisle
Philosopher and author focusing on transcendence
Episode: Trailer: Series 11 of Reading Our Times
Susan Greenfield
Scientist and expert on consciousness
Episode: Trailer: Series 11 of Reading Our Times
Paul Davies
Physicist known for his work on quantum mechanics
Episode: Trailer: Series 11 of Reading Our Times
Graham Harman
Philosopher known for his work on reality
Episode: Trailer: Series 11 of Reading Our Times
Philip Goff
Philosopher focusing on consciousness and reality
Episode: Trailer: Series 11 of Reading Our Times
Michael Symmons Roberts
Poet and commentator on music and time
Episode: Trailer: Series 11 of Reading Our Times
Gilbert Markus
Theologian discussing the concept of God
Episode: Trailer: Series 11 of Reading Our Times
Anastasia Berg
Co-author of the book What Are Children For? and cultural commentator.
Episode: What are children for? In conversation with Anastasia Berg

Host

Nick Spencer
Host of various discussions bridging academic insights with contemporary societal issues, aiming to illuminate complex ideas through literature and expert reflections.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 101 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 Kingdoma year 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 States3 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 Kingdom4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some express dissatisfaction with the perceived bias or lack of balance in certain episodes, indicating a desire for a more diverse array of viewpoints.
Many find it a valuable resource for understanding complex topics through the lens of literature and philosophy.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and thoughtful discussions that challenge their perspectives on contemporary issues.
Overall, the feedback highlights a strong appreciation for the depth of analysis and intellectual rigor present in the 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.

What are children for? In conversation with Anastasia Berg
Q: What does what we've been talking about tell us about the human condition?
It shows that even in the most personal question of whether or not to have children, something tremendous of philosophical and ethical significance is at stake.
Would it matter if Christianity were eclipsed? In conversation with Rupert Shortt
Q: What do you think is going on with prominent figures making positive noises about Christianity?
Shortt attributes this trend to a hunger for meaning among people who feel that rationalism alone cannot fully explain human experiences.
Would it matter if Christianity were eclipsed? In conversation with Rupert Shortt
Q: Why do you think some countries, particularly in Western Europe, have secularized?
Rupert Shortt discusses multiple factors like science, education, and technology contributing to secularization, noting a general nervousness about religion among the British.
Are there limits to economic growth? In conversation with Richard McNeill Douglas
Q: What do you mean by that phrase and why do you locate it in that year?
1972 marked landmark events imposing limits on modernity, such as the final Apollo mission and publication of the Limits to Growth Report.
Why is the Orthodox church so supportive of Putin's war? In conversation with Lucy Ash
Q: How sincere is Putin's Orthodox faith in your view?
While it's hard to assess his inner beliefs, there's evidence that his actions do not align with the core teachings of the Orthodox faith.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Reading Our Times

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

Content largely focuses on significant contemporary issues shaped by literature and philosophical ideas. Frequent discussions revolve around the implications of cultural phenomena such as democracy, choice, and morality, with notable guests who are experts or authors engaging in deep dialogue about their respective works. Unique to this program, the discussions often bridge the gap between historical contexts and modern societal dilemmas, providing listeners with critical reflections on how literature influences our understanding of current events and human experience. Topics explored span from personal identity to broader societal trends, addressing intricate nuances about human behavior, ethics, and the evolution of beliefs.

Where can I find podcast stats for Reading Our Times?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Reading Our Times. 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 Reading Our Times and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Reading Our Times get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Reading Our Times, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Reading Our Times?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Reading Our Times, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Reading Our Times have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Reading Our Times 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 Reading Our Times?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Reading Our Times:

1. The Sacred
2. Nomad Podcast
3. The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief In God
4. Trinity Forum Conversations
5. Unbelievable?

How many episodes of Reading Our Times are there?

Reading Our Times launched 5 years ago and published 90 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 Reading Our Times?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Reading Our Times?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Reading Our Times from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Reading Our Times?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Reading Our Times. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Reading Our Times?

Recent guests on Reading Our Times include:

1. Philip Ball
2. Clare Carlisle
3. Susan Greenfield
4. Paul Davies
5. Graham Harman
6. Philip Goff
7. Michael Symmons Roberts
8. Gilbert Markus

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days