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Artwork for The LRB Podcast
Protest
Patricia Lockwood
Pope Francis
Marcel Proust
Miller's Tale
Chaucer
Madeleine
A La Recherche Du Temps Perdu
Medieval Literature
Tigray War
Tahrir Square Protests
2008 Financial Crisis
Literary Criticism
Catholic Church
Don Juan
Memory
Translation
The Canterbury Tales
Egypt
Arab Spring

The LRB Podcast brings you weekly conversations from Europe’s leading magazine of culture and ideas, hosted by Thomas Jones and Malin Hay, and featuring our fortnightly 'On Politics' podcast hosted by James Butler. From the LRB Subscribe to the LRB: ⁠⁠https://lrb.me/subslrbpod Close Readings podcast: ⁠https://lrb.me/crlrbpod⁠ LRB Audiobooks: ⁠https://lrb.me/audiobookslrbpod⁠ Bags, binders and more... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes422Founded14 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Artwork for The LRB Podcast

Latest Episodes

Emily Brontë died on 19 December 1848. As Patricia Lockwood said in an episode of Close Readings, there is evidence that Brontë was writing a second novel to follow ‘Wuthering Heights’, but if she was, it has been lost, and it has been suggested, tho... more

For a century, Judy Garland’s joyous and vulnerable singing voice has captivated audiences at the theatre, over the airwaves and in the cinema. Camille Paglia wrote of her that she ‘became an emblematic personality of her time, into whom the mass aud... more

The politics of migration have driven some of the most consequential changes in Britain’s recent history and look set to dominate the next general election. Since the end of Rishi Sunak’s government, the crossings of ‘small boats’ over the English Ch... more

Fatma Hassona was a Palestinian photographer from Gaza City who was killed with her family by an Israeli airstrike in April 2025. A year earlier, the Iranian filmmaker Sepideh Farsi began recording video conversations with Hassona about her life and ... more

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Recent Guests

Brett Christophers
Teaches human geography at Uppsala University. Author of The Price is Wrong, Why Capitalism Won't Save the Planet.
Uppsala University
Episode: Where does our waste go?
James Lasdun
Novelist, poet, and short story writer
Episode: Pollution and Other Serial Killers
Emily Witt
Critic and journalist for The New Yorker
The New Yorker
Episode: Selling the Manosphere
John Day
Teaches at King's College London, author of works including 'Homing'
King's College London
Episode: Rat Universes
Narges Bajoghli
Professor at Johns Hopkins, author of 'Iran Reframed'
Johns Hopkins
Episode: Israel's War of Opportunity
Robert Malley
Visiting Professor at Yale, former U.S. negotiator for the Iran nuclear deal
Yale
Episode: Israel's War of Opportunity
Francesca Wade
Author of 'Square Haunting' and 'Gertrude Stein, An Afterlife'
Episode: The Best-Paid Woman in NYC
Laleh Khalili
An academic at the University of Exeter and author of 'Extractive Capitalism, Commodities, Cargo and Cronyism'.
University of Exeter
Episode: Silicon Valley Warriors
Miriam Dobson
History teacher at Sheffield University and author of works on Soviet history
Sheffield University
Episode: Cold War Pen-Pals

Hosts

Thomas Jones
Co-host of the LRB Podcast and associated with in-depth literary discussions and critical dialogues.
Malin Hay
Co-host of the LRB Podcast, known for insightful conversations on literature and culture.
James Butler
Host of the 'On Politics' podcast segment, contributing critical analysis of current political affairs.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Best political podcast - a must-listen

    James Butler’s political podcast is far and away the most intelligent, insightful politics podcast: in-depth, illuminating discussions with serious journalists and academics who can analyse current events with critical acuity and a sense of context. James Butler is an excellent interviewer/presenter: asks incisive questions and keeps discussion sharp and purposeful. Warmly recommended.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    4th Generation Blades Fan
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • On politics

    Really enjoying the new political analysis stream. Thoughtful and sober analysis and great guests. Would pay for longer episodes tbh.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rob Lugg
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Mr

    I would add to comments about Close Readings that Seamus Perry and Mark Ford provide content that is most of all - accessible. The language is secular and devoid of swathes of academic terminology. Any lapse is often pounced on by Mr Perry in explanation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Headlandjonno
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • On Politics: Labour’s Problems

    Too many voices with different audio quality. The discussion was rambling without much focus. I don’t think I’ll listen to subsequent episodes. Reading one good opinion at a time is more useful.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    TVeblen
    United States3 months ago
  • Thoughtful

    The most thoughtful podcast I know of.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JK314159265
    United Kingdom7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the seamless integration of literature and politics in discussions.
Many reviews highlight the deep intellect and refreshing perspective offered through various topics.
The show is praised for its thoughtful conversations and engaging content.
Some feedback points to occasional grievances with audio quality and host presentation.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

On Politics: Inside Britain’s Asylum System
Q: Could you talk us through what the changes proposed by the Home Secretary are to both the immigration system more widely and particularly asylum?
The proposed changes treat migrants differently regarding their eligibility for settlement after they are already in the UK, making it significantly harder for them while not directly reducing the number of visas or migrants entering.
The Life and Death of a Photographer in Gaza
Q: What sort of reaction did you have in Japan?
Very strong reaction due to the historical context and emotional impact of the film.
The Life and Death of a Photographer in Gaza
Q: Can you tell us how this film got made?
Initially tried to enter Gaza to film, faced barriers, and eventually connected with Fatma Hassona through video calls.
On Politics: The Bust-up at the BBC
Q: If you could change one policy for the BBC, what would it be?
Introduce a number of randomly selected bodies to oversee the operations and governance of the BBC, allowing the public to have a direct relationship with its staff.
On Politics: The Bust-up at the BBC
Q: What do you think about the ideology and conformity in political journalism?
Journalists are incentivized to cultivate sources close to power instead of focusing on how the political system works.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The LRB Podcast

What is The LRB Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Conversations on diverse topics such as literature, politics, and culture are central to the weekly discussions shared with a thoughtful audience. Episodes showcase in-depth dialogues that illuminate contemporary issues by exploring historical contexts, critical social dynamics, and literary nuances, all hosted by knowledgeable figures in the field. Noteworthy for its intellectual rigor, this series presents a balance of cultural insights alongside political analysis, often integrating voices from academia and journalism to dissect current events and themes in society. The unique format combines systematic explorations of artistic works with real-time discussions of pressing world issues, making it appealing for listeners interested in both... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The LRB Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The LRB Podcast:

1. London Review Bookshop Podcast
2. Close Readings
3. Past Present Future
4. The TLS Podcast
5. Backlisted

How many episodes of The LRB Podcast are there?

The LRB Podcast launched 14 years ago and published 422 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The LRB Podcast?

Recent guests on The LRB Podcast include:

1. Brett Christophers
2. James Lasdun
3. Emily Witt
4. John Day
5. Narges Bajoghli
6. Robert Malley
7. Francesca Wade
8. Laleh Khalili

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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