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The Audio Long Read

The Guardian
Climate Change
Stephen David Jones
Syrian Civil War
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Trump Administration
The Guardian
Maternal Health
Colonialism
Donald Trump
Mental Health
Nevis
Ngũgĩ Wa Thiong'o
Syria
Corruption
Aleppo
Bashar Al-Assad
United States
Baader-Meinhof Gang
Assad Regime
NHS Wheelchair Service

Three times a week, The Audio Long Read podcast brings you the Guardian’s exceptional longform journalism in audio form. Covering topics from politics and culture to philosophy and sport, as well as investigations and current affairs.

PublishesDailyEpisodes624Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Audio Long Read

Latest Episodes

We are used to the idea that our fellow humans might intentionally mislead or manipulate us, but the idea that machines can now do the same is deeply unsettling. Researchers are racing to find solutions before it’s too late. By Snigdha Poonam. Read b... more

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2023: Landfill sites have swallowed many a beauty spot along the Thames estuary in the past 50 y... more

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2023: Landfill sites have swallowed many a beauty spot along the Thames estuary in the past 50 y... more

Many hoped that the march of technology would usher in an egalitarian utopia – but some foresaw the threat it would pose to liberal society. Why did nobody listen? By Jill Lepore. Read by Laurel Lefkow. Help support our independent journalism at <a h... more

Key Facts

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

Jill Lepore
Author of The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State
Harvard University (historian)
Episode: Democracy v the machine: the birth of the digital age and the warnings that were ignored
Adam Kirsch
Author of The Great Silence: Why Haven't We Found Any Aliens Yet?
Author
Episode: The great silence: why haven’t we found any aliens yet?
Ryan Turman
Lawyer specializing in clients with mental health crises
Private practice in Amarillo, Texas
Episode: Introducing Black Box: The Chatbots
Phoebe (alias)
James's wife
Private individual
Episode: Introducing Black Box: The Chatbots
Lacey Turman
Ryan's wife, works in mental health
Private individual
Episode: Introducing Black Box: The Chatbots
James (alias)
Person in Albany who interacted deeply with a chatbot
Private individual
Episode: Introducing Black Box: The Chatbots
Tim Smedley
Author of Drought Is On The Verge Of Becoming The Next Pandemic
Author, The Last Drop
Episode: From the archive: ‘Drought is on the verge of becoming the next pandemic’
Neos Sala
Catalan broadcast journalist who later discussed Nada's story
Catalan media
Episode: Best of 2026…so far: ‘Any other child would have died’: the miraculous survival of Nada Itrab
Giles Tremlett
Author of the longread and interviewer in the piece
The Guardian / writer
Episode: Best of 2026…so far: ‘Any other child would have died’: the miraculous survival of Nada Itrab

Host

Claire Longrigg
Deputy Editor, Guardian Long Read / Host of The Guardian Long Read

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 5.3k ratings
  • Hope does not die

    but I haven‘t heard a more names dropping guy called himself King about Tokyo knowing nothing about the subject in spite of 10 years in the city …

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Tippfehlerteufel
    Germany3 months ago
  • I love the Guardian…

    But hearing a 42 min puff piece from the editor, I do have my limits. Points about the information crisis were mainly taken from Alderman’s book and then the solutions offered were an advert for the Guardian (which I guess is somewhat fair). The article could have been a lot stronger given the real issues we are facing about how we process information and how information is received.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EleanorCr
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Why must there be music played in the background?

    I really wanted to listen to one of these long reads which came up when I was searching for podcasts about a particular subject matter, but quickly realised that the whole thing was underlaid by music, why? It makes it impossible to listen to!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Ruthieroo123
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Please be honest…

    I have one simple question. Please answer honestly. Was the latest episode about what we risk losing by using A.I. actually voiced by A.I.? (I have temporarily given 3 stars as a neutral vote… )

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    theCOLLECTOR
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Consistently good

    Always a great listen

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TeAWL
    New Zealand9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critiques focus on narration quality, including debates over AI narration versus human voices.
Listeners praise deep, well-researched reporting and thoughtful narration.
Fans appreciate the show's rigor and variety, from global politics to culture.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#44
United Kingdom/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#199
Canada/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#109
Australia/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#135
Italy/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#241
France/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#115
Argentina/Top Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Stateside with Kai and Carter: Stacey Abrams on why gutting of the US Voting Rights Act is ‘evil’
Q: What does it mean that the Voting Rights Act has been gutted, and what comes next?
Abrams explains that the two-pronged enforcement approach has been hollowed out, requiring renewed legal action, constitutional safeguards, and sustained grassroots organizing to protect and expand voting access.
From the archive: Inspired by nature: the thrilling new science that could transform medicine
Q: How did Karp's background influence his work?
Karp's connection to nature during childhood and his experiences observing wildlife fostered his approach to bio-inspiration and innovative problem-solving in medical devices.
From the archive: Inspired by nature: the thrilling new science that could transform medicine
Q: What was the initial problem Karp aimed to address with his inventions?
Karp aimed to solve the challenges associated with surgical procedures, particularly in sealing wounds effectively and reducing complications from traditional methods like sutures and staples.

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 The Audio Long Read

What is The Audio Long Read about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The Audio Long Read offers immersive, longform journalism in audio form, mainly focused on in-depth reporting, political analysis, global affairs, and cultural explorations. Episodes feature careful storytelling around investigations, feature profiles, and narrative essays, often anchored by Guardian writers or external narrators who provide context, archival material, and thoughtful interpretation. Listeners can expect well-researched pieces on topics like geopolitics, migration, language and identity, health, technology, and culture, all delivered in a measured, reflective tone with an emphasis on nuance and context. The show stands out for its high journalistic standards, deep-dive storytelling, and a consistent commitment to humanizing ... more

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How many listeners does The Audio Long Read get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Audio Long Read have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Audio Long Read 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 The Audio Long Read?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Audio Long Read:

1. Today in Focus
2. Science Weekly
3. The Slow Newscast
4. Politics Weekly UK
5. The Documentary Podcast

How many episodes of The Audio Long Read are there?

The Audio Long Read launched 14 years ago and published 624 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 The Audio Long Read?

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 The Audio Long Read?

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What guests have appeared on The Audio Long Read?

Recent guests on The Audio Long Read include:

1. Jill Lepore
2. Adam Kirsch
3. Ryan Turman
4. Phoebe (alias)
5. Lacey Turman
6. James (alias)
7. Tim Smedley
8. Neos Sala

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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