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Start the Week

BBC Radio 4
Claude Monet
Glass
Glassmaking
Emma Smith
Errollyn Wallen
Laurence Cummings
Small States
Climate Change
Material Science
Art History
Stained Glass
Opium
China
Games
Jephtha
Classical Music
Jazz
Handel
Compositional Process
Machine Vision

Weekly discussion programme, setting the cultural agenda every Monday

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes640Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Start the Week

Latest Episodes

What makes us who we are? In Radio 4's discussion programme to start off the week, Tom Sutcliffe and guests explore consciousness and identity, and whether the face reveals our inner thoughts and character.

American science writer Michael Pollan is ... more

What lies beneath the world's oceans? From the phenomenal infrastructure of telecoms cables to shipwrecked galleons and treasure and the sea creatures of the literary imagination - we explore the mysteries of the deep. Adam Rutherford chairs Radio 4'... more

The UK government has declared 2026, the National Year of Reading. The numbers suggest that reading needs all the public relations it can get. Under a third of school children say they read for pleasure and the number going on to read English Literat... more

How do we think about war? How do we imagine it, picture it and explain it? Adam Rutherford hosts Radio 4's discussion programme which starts the week, asking what we can learn about ourselves from our varied intellectual and cultural responses to co... more

Key Facts

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

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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In Our TimeBBC Radio 4

Recent Guests

Lottie Moggach
Author of Mrs. Pearcey
Author, Mrs. Pearcey
Episode: Reading and storytelling
Margaret Busby
Publisher and editor, co-founder of Alison and Busby
Alison and Busby
Episode: Reading and storytelling
Sarah Dillon
Professor of Literature and the Public Humanities, Cambridge
University of Cambridge
Episode: Reading and storytelling
Jane Rogoyska
Author of "Hotel Exile"
Episode: Thinking about war
Lawrence Freedman
Emeritus Professor of War Studies, King's College London
Episode: Thinking about war
Rebecca Newell
Head of Art at the Imperial War Museum
Imperial War Museum
Episode: Thinking about war
George Saunders
A booker prize-winning writer known for his novel 'Vigil'
Episode: Breakage and repair
Ece Temulkuran
Author of 'Nation of Strangers', exploring themes of belonging and exclusivity
Episode: Breakage and repair
Oliver Bullough
Author of 'Everybody Loves Our Dollars', focuses on money laundering
Episode: Breakage and repair

Hosts

Adam Rutherford
Host with a background in biological sciences and a keen interest in engaging discussions across multiple disciplines.
Tom Sutcliffe
Experienced host known for his ability to moderate thoughtful conversations on cultural topics.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 615 ratings
  • För bra att somna till

    Jag brukar somna till poddar om ämnen som intresserar mig, men här är det för intressant och för intresserat - jag vaknar till istället och vill lära mig allt om nattfjärilar eller allergier.

    Initierat, kunnigt, nördigt.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PappaStekman
    Sweden3 years ago
  • So much better since Marr left

    Every week this show delivers an interesting discussion and normally results in more additions to my ‘to read’ pile.

    The new post-Marr format of rotating presenters is refreshing and less egotistical in style. And speaking are even now allowed to be honest about how bad Brexit is going.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Alex_Phillips
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • Excellent but…

    Can someone ask the host to resist the urge to interrupt his guests? We genuinely want to hear what they have to say. That is, we haven’t run out of attention quite as quickly as he has.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    MaryCherry75
    Canada4 years ago
  • Variable and a bit pompous but often interesting

    Podcast Addict
    4
    Professor
    5 years ago
  • Intelligent long form journalism

    Great listen well worth subscribing to.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Welger AP 45
    Ireland5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The rotation of hosts has received mixed feedback, with some praising the fresh perspectives it brings, while others note a preference for previous hosts.
There are critiques regarding interruptions during conversations, suggesting audiences desire more emphasis on guest contributions.
Overall, the podcast is regarded as a vital platform for thoughtful discourse on contemporary issues.
Listeners appreciate the show's stimulating discussions and diverse guest appearances, often featuring experts in various fields.
Many find the content intellectually enriching, leading to higher levels of engagement and contemplation.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#145
United Kingdom/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#123
Ireland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#192
Poland/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Reading and storytelling
Q: How did your publishing philosophy at Alison and Busby challenge norms and push for more diverse voices?
We published work that others wouldn't and took risks with cheap paperback poetry, African writers, and women authors, which broadened access and opened up a broader global conversation.
Reading and storytelling
Q: Why do you think true crime fascinates readers, especially women, in your novel Mrs. Pearcey?
The fascination ties to social anxieties and empathy for victims, with crime becoming a lens to understand personal and societal threats, and the domestic sphere offering a tense space for exploring relationships gone wrong.
Fun and games
Q: Stephen, you wrote a piece in the Financial Times last year with the headline, If you don't understand Nintendo Switch 2, you won't understand the modern world. Is that an exaggeration?
No, I think it's important because video games shape people's perceptions and how they interact with the world.
Censorship
Q: Are there controls on what can be said about?
Yes, strict prohibitions exist against criticism of the government and can lead to imprisonment.
Censorship
Q: Do you think she was an activist journalist?
Yes, Anna Politkovskaya had a relentless commitment to speaking truth to power and suffered the consequences as a result.

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 Start the Week

What is Start the Week about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This weekly discussion program brings together a diverse array of guests to explore pressing cultural, political, and social issues. Each episode features in-depth conversations about relevant topics, ranging from the arts to health, politics, and science. The show stands out for its engaging dialogues that often incorporate varied perspectives, foster critical thinking, and encourage listeners to consider differing viewpoints. Unique guests span many fields, enriching discussions with personal insights and expertise that challenge conventional narratives and stimulate inquiry into contemporary life.

Where can I find podcast stats for Start the Week?

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

How many listeners does Start the Week get?

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What are the audience demographics for Start the Week?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Start the Week, 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 Start the Week have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Start the Week 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 Start the Week?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Start the Week:

1. Great Lives
2. More or Less
3. In Our Time
4. This Cultural Life
5. Radical with Amol Rajan

How many episodes of Start the Week are there?

Start the Week launched 20 years ago and published 640 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 Start the Week?

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 Start the Week?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Start the Week from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Start the Week?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Start the Week. 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 Start the Week?

Recent guests on Start the Week include:

1. Lottie Moggach
2. Margaret Busby
3. Sarah Dillon
4. Jane Rogoyska
5. Lawrence Freedman
6. Rebecca Newell
7. George Saunders
8. Ece Temulkuran

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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