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Best of the Spectator

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

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Damian Thompson says his addiction to the piano has only got worse with age; Francis Pike ponders if Kim Jong-Un is lining up a female successor; Ysenda Maxtone-Graham explains the art to left-wing boasting; and fin... more

Today we are delighted to be joined by the Sunday Times’ Gabriel Pogrund, whose book – Get In, which details Starmer’s rise to power – is out now in paperback with new revelations on the Peter Mandelson vetting process. It turns out that Keir Starmer... more

As oil prices rise, the Spectator’s cover story this week – written by deputy editor Freddy Gray – wonders if Trump’s gamble has backfired, and Operation Epic Fury could end up more like Operation Epic Fail. What does it mean to describe Trump’s plan... more

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My guest on this week's Book Club podcast is Lionel Shriver, whose new novel A Better Life offers among other things a savage send-up of liberal pieties on immigration. I asked Lionel what she was trying to do with the book (why make the argument, fo... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Adrian Woolridge
Campaigner and columnist
Various media outlets
Episode: The Edition: America's Iran gamble – why the Royals could be Britain's Trump card
Tyler Goodspeed
Former chairman of Donald Trump's Council of Economic Advisers
White House / U.S. Government
Episode: Reality Check: Oil crisis – the worst we've ever seen?
Daniel McCarthy
Columnist for The Spectator; Distinguished Fellow in Conservative Thought at the Heritage Foundation
The Spectator; Heritage Foundation
Episode: Americano: why Iran marks the end of neoconservatism
Ameer Kotecha
Resigned from the Foreign Office over criticisms; commentator on foreign policy
Former Foreign Office official
Episode: Coffee House Shots: why we left the Foreign Office | Ben Judah & Ameer Kotecha
Ben Judah
David Lammy's former spad, prominent writer and commentator on foreign policy
Times (contributor); former staffer at the Foreign Office
Episode: Coffee House Shots: why we left the Foreign Office | Ben Judah & Ameer Kotecha
Jane Rogoyska
Writer and historian, author of Hotel Exile, Paris in the Shadow of War
Author
Episode: Book Club: Paris in the Shadow of War
Maurice Glasman
Labour Peer
Labour Party
Episode: The Edition: Why Trump's ultimate target in this war is China – with Maurice Glasman
Charlie Gammell
Formerly of the Foreign Office Iran desk; author
Spectator
Episode: Americano: will Iran descend into civil war?
Jonathan Meades
Architectural critic discussing Vanbrugh and related architecture
The Spectator
Episode: Spectator Out Loud: Angus Colwell, Paul Wood, Andrew Rule & Jonathan Meades

Hosts

Freddie Gray
Host of Americano Show; leads interviews and analysis on current affairs
Madeleine Grant
Host of Quite Right and contributor on political commentary

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • 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 Kingdoma month ago
  • Common & run-of-the-mill

    Conventional takes with little distinguished insight. Disappointing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Bibliophenia
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • A gang bang queen!

    No longer a serious magazine

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Cwycu
    United Kingdom3 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
    Australia3 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 Kingdom5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise balanced debates and high-profile guests.
Overall, episodes are described as insightful and well-produced, with strong interview moments.
Some episodes criticized for perceived bias or rhetoric.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Coffee House Shots: why we left the Foreign Office | Ben Judah & Ameer Kotecha
Q: What was the last straw for you then, Ameer? Why did you do it ultimately?
The final straw was Chagos and a broader pattern of frustration with how foreign policy priorities were set and executed, signaling a need to highlight systemic problems within the Foreign Office.
Coffee House Shots: why we left the Foreign Office | Ben Judah & Ameer Kotecha
Q: Ameer, could you summarise a piece for us you wrote in the Times?
Ameer explains that the Foreign Office is distracted by peripheral issues, such as corporate messaging and internal intranet content, instead of focusing on core foreign policy challenges, which led to his decision to resign.
Reality Check: Oil crisis – the worst we've ever seen?
Q: What would you pull as policy levers to insulate the UK from a sustained energy price shock?
The guest argues for planning reform to ease infrastructure development and a more restrained regulatory approach, warning against expansive subsidies and highlighting the need to consider the monetary and fiscal implications of energy subsidies in stabilizing prices long-term.
Reality Check: Oil crisis – the worst we've ever seen?
Q: Haven't Western economies diversified away from fossil fuels over the past decade, reducing vulnerability to oil price shocks?
The guest notes that while diversification helps, many economies remain dependent on gas and liquid fuels, and energy-intensive sectors face persistent exposure; thus shocks can still ripple through prices, costs, and growth, especially if substitutes are not readily available in the near term.
Reality Check: Oil crisis – the worst we've ever seen?
Q: Is that true? What does it mean for the global economy if oil stays above $100 a barrel and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed?
The guest explains that while scenarios vary, sustained high prices and a prolonged closure could trigger larger supply shocks than past crises, affecting inflation, growth, and monetary policy, with the consequences magnified for economies with high energy intensity and limited domestic substitutes.

Audience Metrics

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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?

A fast-moving, conversation-driven show that blends politics, culture, and literature with sharp, sometimes provocative perspectives. Episodes frequently pair high-profile journalists and commentators with expert guests to dissect current events, policy, and cultural trends through aSpectator lens. Frequent strengths include lively panel dynamics, deep dives into history or architecture, and bold takes on Brexit-era politics, foreign policy, and identity politics. A notable hallmark is the blend of long-form interviews, live debates, and themed roundups that invite listeners to weigh nuanced positions from a traditionally conservative-leaning editorial voice. This combination makes it appealing to listeners who enjoy concise, opinionated an... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Best of the Spectator?

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1. Coffee House Shots
2. Americano
3. The Rest Is Politics
4. The Rest Is Politics: Leading
5. The Edition

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Best of the Spectator launched 12 years ago and published 2561 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. Adrian Woolridge
2. Tyler Goodspeed
3. Daniel McCarthy
4. Ameer Kotecha
5. Ben Judah
6. Jane Rogoyska
7. Maurice Glasman
8. Charlie Gammell

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