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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
British-Chinese Fusion Food
Zao Fan, Breakfast Of China
Culinary Experiences
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.

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Latest Episodes

As Keir Starmer's visit to China draws to a close, Sam Olsen – who runs the States of Play substack – and Times columnist Cindy Yu join Patrick Gibbons to discuss how the UK should manage its relationship with China. Starmer's visit has drawn critici... more

Who really runs Britain: the government, foreign courts or international lawyers? This question is at the heart of Michael Gove’s cover piece for the Spectator this week, analysing the role of those at the centre of Labour’s foreign policy. Attorney ... more

Is centrism back? This week a group of former Tory heavyweights – including Ruth Davidson, Andy Street, Amber Rudd and David Gauke – have launched a new group aimed at reclaiming the centre ground and dispelling the myth that politics in 2026 is a st... more

To hear this week's podcast in full, search 'Quite right!' wherever you are listening now.

This week: Michael and Maddie ask whether Keir Starmer’s grip on the Labour party is beginning to slip. After the party machine moved to block Andy Burnham f... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Daniel Wilson
A 23-year-old advocate for British architectural heritage and social media influencer
Friends of Friendless Churches
Episode: Holy Smoke: the historic value of English churches
Martin Vander Weyer
Business editor of The Spectator
The Spectator
Episode: Reality Check: who's to blame for Britain's water crisis?
Peter Frankopan
Professor of Global History at Worcester College, Oxford, and Director of the Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research.
University of Oxford
Episode: Holy Smoke: why theocracies survive – with Peter Frankopan
Joanna Kavenna
Novelist and author of 'Seven: How To Play A Game Without Rules'
Episode: The Book Club: How To Play A Game Without Rules
Joshua Trevino
Chief Transformation Officer at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and Senior Director of the Western Hemisphere Initiative at the America First Policy Institute
Texas Public Policy Foundation
Episode: Americano: which Latin American narco-state will Trump topple next?
Dominic Cummings
Former chief adviser to Boris Johnson, known for his role in the Brexit campaign.
None mentioned
Episode: Quite right!: Dominic Cummings interview – part one out now
Arthur Laffer
Famous American economist known for the Laffer curve
Episode: Reality Check: 2025 – tears, tariffs & taxes
Zach Polanski
Green Party leader, advocating for tax reform and social equity
Green Party
Episode: Reality Check: 2025 – tears, tariffs & taxes
James Heal
Deputy political editor for The Spectator
The Spectator
Episode: Reality Check: 2025 – tears, tariffs & taxes

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
    Australia2 months 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 Kingdom4 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 Kingdom5 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 Kingdom6 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 States6 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.

Holy Smoke: the historic value of English churches
Q: Do you think increased exposure to Britain's heritage of churches might awaken in you a sort of deeper spiritual commitment?
There's definitely a growing relationship between myself and faith, especially after being exposed to beautiful medieval churches, but I can't predict where it will go.
Holy Smoke: the historic value of English churches
Q: Can you tell me how you came to frame your mission?
I stumbled into this by posting pictures of churches on social media, which unexpectedly went viral and garnered interest from people around the world.
Holy Smoke: why theocracies survive – with Peter Frankopan
Q: What are the chances that a future government of Iran will have an Islamic character?
That largely depends on demographics, with younger populations generally advocating for more freedoms while the older generation often desires to return to traditional values.
Holy Smoke: why theocracies survive – with Peter Frankopan
Q: How representative of Iran's Islamic traditions is the theocratic rule of the mullahs, introduced by Khomeini in 1979?
Theocracy in Iran affects daily life variably, and historically, cleric roles have been more advisory than controlling until Khomeini's regime significantly altered that.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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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 subscribers and views does Best of the Spectator have?

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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. Planet Normal

How many episodes of Best of the Spectator are there?

Best of the Spectator launched 12 years ago and published 2515 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.

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What guests have appeared on Best of the Spectator?

Recent guests on Best of the Spectator include:

1. Daniel Wilson
2. Martin Vander Weyer
3. Peter Frankopan
4. Joanna Kavenna
5. Joshua Trevino
6. Dominic Cummings
7. Arthur Laffer
8. Zach Polanski

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