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Best of the Spectator

The Spectator
Donald Trump
American Politics
January 6 Capitol Riot
2024 Presidential Election
China
Legal Prosecution
Immigration
Food
Black Lives Matter
Georgia Election Law
Italy
Symmetrybreakfast
NHS
National Archives
Zao Fan, Breakfast Of China
Culinary Experiences
British-Chinese Fusion Food
Social Media Influence
Israel
Female Entrepreneurs

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2486Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Daily NewsNews CommentaryNews

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Latest Episodes

A far cry from the ‘roaring twenties' of the early 20th Century, the 2020s can be characterised as the ‘boring twenties’, argue Gus Carter and Rupert Hawksley in our new year edition of the Spectator. Record numbers of young people are out of work bu... more

For the full episode, search 'Quite right!' wherever you are listening now.

This is an extract from the second of a two-part discussion with Dominic Cummings, in which he reflects on his time in government – what he got right and what he regrets – a... more

Sam Leith is joined by Philip Hensher to pick over their books of the year.

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

Dominic Cummings joins Michael and Maddie to reflect on his time in government – what he got right and what he regrets – and what he believes must change for the country to thrive.

Part one: 30 December 2025 (9am GMT) 

Part two: 1 January 2026 (9am... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Dominic Cummings
Former Chief Adviser to the Prime Minister
UK Government
Episode: Quite right!: Dominic Cummings – part two
Zach Polanski
Green Party leader, advocating for tax reform and social equity
Green Party
Episode: Reality Check: 2025 – tears, tariffs & taxes
Arthur Laffer
Famous American economist known for the Laffer curve
Episode: Reality Check: 2025 – tears, tariffs & taxes
James Heal
Deputy political editor for The Spectator
The Spectator
Episode: Reality Check: 2025 – tears, tariffs & taxes
Bernard Cornwell
Author of the Sharpe series and over 60 other novels
Episode: Speaker series: Bernard Cornwell – Sharpe's Storm
Rory Sutherland
Vice-chairman of the Ogilvie and Mailer Group and author of the Spectator's Wiki Man column.
Ogilvie and Mailer Group
Episode: Holy Smoke: why religious societies succeed – with Rory Sutherland
Gordon McKee
Labour MP for Glasgow South
Labour Party
Episode: Coffee House Shots: will Scotland switch course in 2026? with Gordon McKee
Lucy Dunn
Political correspondent, leaving for STV
Spectator
Episode: Coffee House Shots: will Scotland switch course in 2026? with Gordon McKee
Tom Gilbey
An award-winning wine expert and author
Episode: Table Talk: Tom Gilbey

Host

Lara Prendergast
Executive Editor of The Spectator.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • 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
    Australia18 days ago
  • Essential daily listen but ….

    Tim Shipman a definite asset to the editorial team but PLEASE stop the Kemi hate ! You have personal beef with her because she snubbed you way back when but we back her and want her to take us into the next election.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NatsPoddie
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Speaking style problems

    Most of the content of Michael Gove’s podcast is fine but he needs to tone down his speaking style as the delivery is hard on the ear. Why is every other word emphasised? Some of the content,such as the stuff about the political jargon used by the Labour party’s advisors, was, I think, only of interest to politics anoraks.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Chasuble200
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Irregular migrants?

    Irregular migrants? You’re really not reading the room! I’m bowing out from this podcast after seven years…

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Hollydooley
    United Kingdom5 months ago
  • Ghoulishly unintentionally funny

    These posh blow hards will have you laughing out loud at their obtuse, self involved obliviousness as to how the economy and culture etc. actually run - truly a bunch of princes and princesses high up in their ivory towers confounded by the ghastly vulgarity of the masses - and yes, they are in ivory towers and they don’t see the problem with that either! 😆

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    angrylf
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Feedback notes occasional dissatisfaction with certain presentations, suggesting listeners desire a balance in style and substance.
Listeners appreciate the variety of topics covered, indicating it's an engaging mix of serious issues with light-hearted commentary.
Many value the insightful discussions from knowledgeable guests, enhancing the understanding of complex subjects.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Quite right!: Dominic Cummings – part two
Q: What signs do you see that might indicate change in Number 10?
Dominic believes that current political promises made by leaders like Rishi Sunak will have no effect and are fundamentally flawed.
Quite right!: Dominic Cummings – part two
Q: As a New Year dawns, what do you think is going to happen in British politics?
Dominic expresses pessimism, predicting that the current system will continue to worsen and not produce any real changes for the public.
Coffee House Shots: Stephen Flynn on Reform, Sturgeon & a second referendum
Q: How do you relax?
I spend a huge amount of time with my kids; that's how I tend to spend time away from politics.
Coffee House Shots: Stephen Flynn on Reform, Sturgeon & a second referendum
Q: Are you in favor of new oil and gas licences?
If the industry can safeguard jobs, energy security, and meet climate compatibility checkpoints, then projects should go ahead.
Coffee House Shots: Stephen Flynn on Reform, Sturgeon & a second referendum
Q: What is the SNP going to change?
It's a fresh start with independence; the aim is to achieve independence through winning a majority in Holyrood elections.

Audience Metrics

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

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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?

Content spans a variety of topics including British politics, notable cultural discussions, literature, food and drink, and the intersection of these subjects with contemporary issues. Episodes often feature guest experts and contributors who provide their insights on current events, historical context, and personal anecdotes, presenting a well-rounded exploration of significant themes. The approach taken in each episode is characterized by a blend of informative dialogue and casual banter, which allows for both serious discourse and lighter, entertaining moments. This podcast is likely to attract listeners seeking a deeper understanding of pressing issues from an informed and often witty perspective.

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How many listeners does Best of the Spectator get?

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How many subscribers and views does Best of the Spectator have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Best of the Spectator 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 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. Planet Normal

How many episodes of Best of the Spectator are there?

Best of the Spectator launched 12 years ago and published 2486 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 Best of the Spectator?

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 Best of the Spectator?

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What guests have appeared on Best of the Spectator?

Recent guests on Best of the Spectator include:

1. Dominic Cummings
2. Zach Polanski
3. Arthur Laffer
4. James Heal
5. Bernard Cornwell
6. Rory Sutherland
7. Gordon McKee
8. Lucy Dunn

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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