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Start the Week

BBC Radio 4
Climate Change
Ukraine
Art History
Disinformation
Artificial Intelligence
Propaganda
British Art
China
Animal Communication
Neuroscience
Social Care
Gender Equality
Russian Revolution
Election Fraud
Christianity
Poetry
Mental Health
Climate Crisis
Covid-19
Freedom

Weekly discussion programme, setting the cultural agenda every Monday

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes646Founded20 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Start the Week

Latest Episodes

What can chemistry reveal about what it means to be human? On Radio 4’s weekly conversation programme, Tom Sutcliffe leads a conversation that ranges from the molecules within us to the experimental pioneers who transformed our understanding of the m... more

What can the things we create, keep and bury tell us about who we are? On Radio 4's weekly discussion programme, Adam Rutherford explores material culture – the power of objects you can touch – and how they connect us to the past.

Classicist Mary Be... more

Is radical change possible to solve some of today’s most intractable problems? In Radio 4's weekly discussion programme, Tom Sutcliffe is joined by three journalists to discuss the challenges of trying to live differently.

John Kampfner has travell... more

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

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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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Recent Guests

Nicolas Niarchos
Author of The Elements of Power
Author
Episode: Challenges and solutions
Natasha Walter
Author of Feminism for a World on Fire
Author
Episode: Challenges and solutions
John Kampfner
Author of Braver New World
Author
Episode: Challenges and solutions
Sarah Forsyth
Curator of Mammals at ZSL
Zoological Society of London
Episode: Zoos, sex and conservation
Elsa Richardson
Cultural historian
University of Strathclyde
Episode: Zoos, sex and conservation
Lixing Sun
Author and researcher
Central Washington University
Episode: Zoos, sex and conservation
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

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
    Ireland6 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
#206
United Kingdom/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#150
Poland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#174
Chile/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?

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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. Thinking Allowed
3. In Our Time
4. Front Row
5. Great Lives

How many episodes of Start the Week are there?

Start the Week launched 20 years ago and published 646 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. Nicolas Niarchos
2. Natasha Walter
3. John Kampfner
4. Sarah Forsyth
5. Elsa Richardson
6. Lixing Sun
7. David Torrance
8. Jane Holgate

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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