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Start the Week

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

Weekly discussion programme, setting the cultural agenda every Monday

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes643Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Start the Week

Latest Episodes

How have the evolutionary forces that shaped animal sex and behaviour influenced the ways humans conserve, study and coexist with other species? As the Zoological Society of London, the precursor to the zoo, celebrates its 200th anniversary, Adam Rut... more

What can past and present struggles over work and power tell us about the future of labour? Tom Sutcliffe and guests examine tensions between workers, employers and the state, from the upheavals of the early twentieth century to today’s shifting work... more

How do the stories we inherit, and the ones we tell, shape our journey from childhood into adulthood? In Radio 4's weekly discussion programme, Naomi Alderman and guests examine the shifting boundaries between youth, experience and societal expectati... more

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

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

David Torrance
Author of The Edge of Revolution, history of the 1926 general strike
Contributors' book discussion
Episode: Industrial action: from 1926 General Strike to today
Jane Holgate
Professor of Work and Employment at the University of Leeds
Leeds University
Episode: Industrial action: from 1926 General Strike to today
Isabel Berwick
Author of The Future Proof Career, journalist for Financial Times
Financial Times
Episode: Industrial action: from 1926 General Strike to today
Penny Woolcock
Filmmaker, opera director and artist
Independent artist
Episode: Growing Up
Laura Tisdall
Senior lecturer in modern British history
Newcastle University
Episode: Growing Up
David Szalay
Author of Flesh
Author
Episode: Growing Up
Michael Pollan
Author of A World Appears, A Journey Into Consciousness
Penguin/Publisher unspecified
Episode: Consciousness and Identity
Mary Costello
Author of A Beautiful Loan
Author/Novelist
Episode: Consciousness and Identity
Fay Bound-Alberti
Author of The Face, A Cultural History
University/Academic
Episode: Consciousness and Identity

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.

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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Start the Week, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

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. Arts & Ideas
2. Thinking Allowed
3. Great Lives
4. Front Row
5. In Our Time

How many episodes of Start the Week are there?

Start the Week launched 20 years ago and published 643 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. David Torrance
2. Jane Holgate
3. Isabel Berwick
4. Penny Woolcock
5. Laura Tisdall
6. David Szalay
7. Michael Pollan
8. Mary Costello

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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