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Best of the Spectator

The Spectator
Labour Party
Keir Starmer
Iran
Donald Trump
Conservative Party
United States
British Politics
Andy Burnham
Venezuela
United Kingdom
Reform UK
Artificial Intelligence
UK Politics
Nigel Farage
Peter Mandelson
Brexit
Church Of England
Boris Johnson
Russia
The Spectator

Home to the Spectator's best podcasts on everything from politics to religion, literature to food and drink, and more. A new podcast every day from writers worth listening to.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2680Founded13 years ago
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Artwork for Best of the Spectator

Latest Episodes

For this week’s Edition, Lara Prendergast is joined by The Spectator’s political editor Tim Shipman, deputy editor of the US edition Gus Carter and the Mail on Sunday’s restaurant critic Tom Parker Bowles.

This week: Nigel Farage’s greatest gamble. ... more

Gavin Newsom has spent the last two years building a national profile for himself beyond his controversial leadership of California as its Governor. But is he equipped to take on the challenges that would be faced by a Presidential run in 2028, that ... more

Nigel Farage has resigned as MP for Clacton and will fight a by-election in an attempt to turn questions over his finances into a referendum on ‘the people vs the establishment’. Is this a political masterstroke or a mistake? Has Farage taken back co... more

Andy Burnham has laid out his plans to 'level up the North'. Something we have heard with almost every Prime Minister pledge to do – but with very little clarity over how this will be achieved and what success looks like. It's true there is a clear d... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Anthony Scaramucci
Former Press Secretary to Donald Trump; host of The Rest is Politics America
The Rest is Politics America
Episode: Coffee House Shots: Anthony Scaramucci on Trump, Corruption & America at 250
Penny Mordaunt
Former defence secretary
UK Government/Conservative Party
Episode: The Edition: Labour's 'total failure' on defence – and why Boris shouldn't come back
Ben Rhodes
Former Obama foreign policy speechwriter; author of All We Say, A History of the United States in 15 Speeches
Author, All We Say
Episode: The Book Club: A History of the United States in 15 Speeches
Roger Kimball
Spectator columnist and commentator on American politics
Spectator
Episode: Americano: Why is America’s radical left winning?
Gus Carter
Reader who discusses Spectator's historical role in America
Spectator Out Loud
Episode: Spectator Out Loud: Richard Madeley, Michael Simmons, Gus Carter & Arabella Byrne
Nick Clegg
Former Deputy Prime Minister, public commentator
Independent/Commentator
Episode: The Edition: Burnham's coronation – but does he have a plan for power?
Carlo Rovelli
Physicist and writer, author of 85 Seconds to Midnight
Episode: The Book Club: Carlo Rovelli
Sarah Connor
UK Director of Communications for JTI
JTI
Episode: Inside the £2 billion black market threatening Britain’s high streets
Rohan Pike
International illicit trade expert, former police officer
Independent/Consultant
Episode: Inside the £2 billion black market threatening Britain’s high streets

Host

Freddy Gray
Host of Americano Show; deputy and US editor for The Spectator

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Disappointed

    Alarmed to hear an interview with antisemitic cartoonist - who was unchallenged when referring to Israel’s defensive war against 8 terrorist armies as “genocide”. Libellous insanity. Saco was touted as some kind of objective journalist. Expect a much higher standard from the Spectator.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    JJAADF
    Australia3 months ago
  • Not everyone translates from the written to the spoken word

    If you have a journalist who can read aloud properly, great. If not please get someone to read their copy for them . The review of Wuthering Heights which would have been entertaining was spoilt by the Robitic and at times inaccurate delivery, which made it hard to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    sjblondon
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Common & run-of-the-mill

    Conventional takes with little distinguished insight. Disappointing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bibliophenia
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • A gang bang queen!

    No longer a serious magazine

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Cwycu
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Americani

    Superb interview with Victor Davis Hansen reviewing the current Donald Trump presidency. Freddie Gray is knowledgeable, speaks and thinks clearly and conducts the best interviews.

    Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cliffography
    Australia7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Balanced guest mix and insightful political analysis, though some critics push back on balance and tone.
The show earns praise for provocative takes and high-profile interviews, but some reviews call for clearer balance and delivery style.
Listeners appreciate deep dives with insider perspectives and historical context, especially on UK politics and leadership dynamics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Holy Smoke: Mexico, the Catholic Church & the rise of the cartel cults
Q: What does the money and organized crime link tell us about how these networks operate in relation to the church?
There are claims that cash-heavy church activities and laundering opportunities create vulnerabilities, and that some clergy are involved or tempted by illicit funds, illustrating a broader corruption risk within religious institutions in the region.
Holy Smoke: Mexico, the Catholic Church & the rise of the cartel cults
Q: How has the Catholic Church responded to these folk cults like La Santa Muerte in Mexico?
The church has denounced certain practices and destroyed chapels, but the persistence of these beliefs suggests deep cultural resonance and ongoing tension between traditional Catholicism and syncretic, death-centric devotion within communities.
The Book Club: Journeys Through Ancient Literature
Q: Can you explain the idea behind your precepts for translation and how they evolved during your work?
The precepts emerged from years of translating and revising; they are practical guardrails born from experience, not rigid rules, meant to guide future translators toward thoughtful, responsive, and ethically mindful engagement with the originals.
The Book Club: Journeys Through Ancient Literature
Q: What motivated you to write a book about journeys through ancient literature rather than focusing on a single author or text?
The aim was to map how different genres, periods, and cultures speak to each other—Homer, Plautus, Sappho, and Roman drama share concerns about language, power, and society, and seeing these through multiple lenses reveals a fuller picture of ancient literatures' ambitions and legacies.
The Book Club: Journeys Through Ancient Literature
Q: You've described your approach as balancing alterity with communicability. How did that shape the way you write and translate across centuries?
I aim to preserve the strangeness of ancient voices while making them legible to modern readers, acknowledging differences without losing the text's humanity; that often means choosing phrasing that honors Greek rhythms and social contexts even if it feels unfamiliar today.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Best of the Spectator

What is Best of the Spectator about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features brisk, opinion-forward conversations on politics, media, history, and culture, with a strong emphasis on UK politics, international affairs, and thoughtful bookish analysis. Episodes frequently juxtapose insider perspectives with broader public policy, exploring leadership dynamics, party strategy, geopolitical tensions, and cultural institutions. A standout trait is its willingness to host high-profile political insiders and authors, offering controversial takes, strategic context, and long-form discussions that often blend history, current events, and policy critique. The format tends to favor lively banter, insider anecdotes, and sharp, sometimes polarizing, viewpoints aimed at listeners who enjoy policy, politics, and... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Best of the Spectator?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Best of the Spectator:

1. Coffee House Shots
2. Americano
3. The Edition
4. Quite right!
5. The spiked podcast

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Best of the Spectator launched 13 years ago and published 2680 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 Best of the Spectator?

Recent guests on Best of the Spectator include:

1. Anthony Scaramucci
2. Penny Mordaunt
3. Ben Rhodes
4. Roger Kimball
5. Gus Carter
6. Nick Clegg
7. Carlo Rovelli
8. Sarah Connor

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