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Start the Week

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

Weekly discussion programme, setting the cultural agenda every Monday

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes619Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Start the Week

Latest Episodes

Of the 7,000 languages estimated to exist, half will have disappeared by the end of this century. That’s the stark warning from the Director of the Endangered Languages Archive, Mandana Seyfeddinipur. The evolution of languages, and their rise and fa... more

The economist Yanis Varoufakis found himself in the eye of the storm as Greece’s Minister of Finance in 2015, at the height of the country’s debt crisis. Now he reflects on his political awakenings and the women who influenced him in Raise Your Soul.... more

The experimental cognitive psychologist and popular science writer, Steven Pinker delves into the intricacies of human interactions in his latest book, ‘When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows...: Common Knowledge and the Science of Harmony, Hypocris... more

At the Contains Strong Language Festival in Bradford, Tom Sutcliffe and guests explore the history and culture of the city, and nation, through its poetry and stories. From battlefields and royal courts, coalmines to curry houses Start the Week looks... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Yanis Varoufakis
Economist and author of Raise Your Soul, which explores Greece's history through his family's experiences.
Episode: Yanis Varoufakis on Greece’s civil war
Mary Vincent
Professor of modern European history at the University of Sheffield, expert on the Spanish Civil War.
University of Sheffield
Episode: Yanis Varoufakis on Greece’s civil war
Paul Cartledge
Classicist and historian discussing Thucydides and his relevance to current wars.
Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge
Episode: Yanis Varoufakis on Greece’s civil war
Lyse Doucet
BBC's international correspondent
BBC
Episode: Afghanistan and the DRC
Michela Wrong
Journalist and author known for her works on Africa
Episode: Afghanistan and the DRC
Ashleigh Percival-Borley
Military historian and former combat medic
BBC Radio 4
Episode: Afghanistan and the DRC
Arundhati Roy
Award-winning author and activist, known for her novel The God of Small Things and memoir Mother Mary Comes To Me
Episode: Arundhati Roy and maternal inheritance
Sarah Howe
Acclaimed poet and author of Loop of Jade, known for exploring themes of identity and family in her work
Episode: Arundhati Roy and maternal inheritance
Lea Ypi
Author and political philosopher, known for her memoir Free and recent work Indignity
Episode: Arundhati Roy and maternal inheritance

Hosts

Tom Sutcliffe
Host of Start the Week
Adam Rutherford
Host of Start the Week
Shahid Abari
Host of Start the Week

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 610 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
    Sweden2 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 Kingdom3 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.

Listeners appreciate the diverse range of topics and the intellectual depth of the discussions.
The rotating host format has been positively received, bringing fresh perspectives to each episode.
The podcast is viewed as an essential platform for thoughtful discourse on cultural and societal issues.
Some have noted interruptions by the host can detract from guest insights but acknowledge valuable content overall.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Steven Pinker on common knowledge
Q: What is the dilemma in the drowning child thought experiment?
The experiment illustrates the moral obligation to help those in need, regardless of distance, emphasizing the indistinguishable nature of human lives across geographies.
Steven Pinker on common knowledge
Q: What is effective altruism?
Effective altruism is a movement that emphasizes not just giving, but giving effectively to maximize the good that can be achieved.
Steven Pinker on common knowledge
Q: How has social media changed common knowledge?
Social media can generate common belief including misconceptions, but it doesn't truly create common knowledge as it lacks universal engagement.
Steven Pinker on common knowledge
Q: What is the difference between common knowledge and common sense?
Common knowledge is a concept where everyone knows not just the information but also knows that others know it, while common sense is more intuitive knowledge shared among people without this depth of awareness.
Steven Pinker on common knowledge
Q: What is common knowledge?
Common knowledge refers to the state in which a piece of information is known by everyone involved, and everyone knows that everyone else knows it.

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?

The episodes cover a variety of cultural and societal themes, often featuring discussions on significant historical and contemporary topics such as migration, mental health, privacy, and the evolution of societal norms. Guests typically include well-respected authors, academics, and experts from diverse fields, leading to intellectually stimulating conversations that challenge mainstream narratives. The format allows for a dynamic exploration of ideas, often linking art, science, history, and social issues in a way that encourages listeners to think critically about the world around them. This broad-ranging approach is likely to appeal to those interested in deep, thoughtful discussions about pressing cultural matters and social justice.

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?

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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. Arts & Ideas
2. Great Lives
3. Front Row
4. In Our Time
5. The Briefing Room

How many episodes of Start the Week are there?

Start the Week launched 20 years ago and published 619 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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What guests have appeared on Start the Week?

Recent guests on Start the Week include:

1. Yanis Varoufakis
2. Mary Vincent
3. Paul Cartledge
4. Lyse Doucet
5. Michela Wrong
6. Ashleigh Percival-Borley
7. Arundhati Roy
8. Sarah Howe

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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