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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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes462Founded14 years ago
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Society & Culture

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Latest Episodes

Would the Founding Fathers recognise the modern United States as the republic they declared in 1776? The nation formed from Britain’s North American colonies has become the most powerful and prosperous in the world, but the muted celebrations on 4 Ju... more

In the sixth episode of their series, Sarah and Sandeep look at poems that explore the complexities of money and its metaphorical power: Frederick Seidel’s ‘In Late December’ starts with an image of degradation in the symbolic heart of global capital... more

The Trump-Russia dossier, leaked to the press in 2017, contained multiple allegations of collusion between the US president and Putin, including reports of meetings between Kremlin officials and members of Trump’s campaign team, and the existence of ... more

The most popular modern food poem is probably William Carlos Williams’s ‘This Is Just to Say’, in which the speaker confesses to eating the plums his wife was saving for breakfast. Food has often been a means for poetry to represent intimate relation... more

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Recent Guests

Gary Gerstle
Historian and author, Cambridge-educated scholar of modern American political order
Cambridge University (historian)
Episode: On Politics: The US at 250
Vadim Nikitin
Writer and critic for the London Review of Books
London Review of Books
Episode: Among the Private Spies
Bhanu Kapil
Award-winning British-American poet, author of How to Wash a Heart
Liverpool University Press / Pavilion Press
Episode: Poetry and the Turning World: Food
Yousif M. Qasmiyeh
Palestinian poet and translator based in Britain
Badawi refugee camp, North Lebanon; Writing the Camp; Eating the Archive
Episode: Poetry and the Turning World: Food
Will Davies
LRB writer and commentator on political economy
London Review of Books
Episode: On Politics: The Andy Burnham Show
Patrick Maguire
Chief political commentator at The Times, Westminster observer
The Times
Episode: On Politics: The Andy Burnham Show
Jake Skeets
Diné poet and essayist, author of Horses and Eyes Bottled Dark with a Mouthful of Flowers
University of Oklahoma (teacher); author of Horses (2026)
Episode: Poetry and the Turning World: Weather
Ishion Hutchinson
Poet, professor at Cornell University
Cornell University
Episode: Poetry and the Turning World: Weather
Simon Skinner
Historian; teaches modern British history at Oxford University; supports Brentford FC
Oxford University / Brentford FC
Episode: World Cup Cupidity

Hosts

Thomas Jones
Host of The LRB Podcast; long-running editor/writer affiliated with the London Review of Books
James Butler
Host of On Politics segment; contributor to The LRB Podcast and broader LRB network; political interviewer

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.2k ratings
  • This is really great thank you.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    Eoin O'Mahony
    3 months ago
  • Its excellent. Just listen.

    .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TormodOtterJohansen
    Sweden3 months ago
  • Sarah Stein Lubrano

    I found Dr Lubrano fascinating, and wanted to hear more about her research, books and her conclusions about life, rather than listen to the interviewer hold forth interminably. She tried valiantly to raise the topic of her new book but he ignored every opportunity. What a shame..

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    EmmaMay67
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Inoculates Against Despair

    Every new episode helps me cleanse my brain of the lies and stupidity I’ve been exposed to in Trump’s US since the last episode. On Politics in particular helps.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RiderSCNJ
    United States4 months ago
  • An insult to LRB’s legacy

    One of your hosts, Adam S——, is an American, New York based music critic who has no connection to London or the UK, and no expertise in the MENA region, but for some reason moonlights for LRB as a “sophisticated” orientalist pundit in the vein of Bernard Lewis, decoding what he sees as the barbaric Arabs and Iranians for the white western warmonger class of which he is a part. S—— has spent his entire recent career trying to twist the anticolonial writings of Fanon and demonizing resistance stru... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    melodie-c
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Occasional critiques about pacing or host style recurring across episodes.
Audience appreciates the depth but some episodes polarize opinions on coverage or framing.
Strong track record of high-quality discussions with renowned writers and scholars.
Thoughtful, context-rich conversations with serious guests.

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: The Andy Burnham Show
Q: What are the big fiscal choices Burnham would face in the early months?
The panel expects Burnham to test tax policy and place-based measures, potentially easing business taxes and considering targeted changes to capital and property taxes, while balancing fiscal rules and avoiding a sharp breach with Treasury orthodoxy.
On Politics: The US at 250
Q: What is the long arc of American political development you see at work here?
The guest outlines two major shifts: the expansion of the central state in the 20th century and a later rebalancing where executive power has grown at the expense of Congress, aided by a more pliant Supreme Court, leading to a shakier balance that could be repaired through renewed congressional assertiveness.
Gaza after the Ceasefire
Q: What is the role of diaspora Palestinians in supporting Gaza without overshadowing those on the ground?
Diaspora supporters should act as ISNAD—supporters who fundraise, educate, and pressure policymakers while ensuring that those in Gaza lead the agenda and that outside narratives do not romanticize or erase local voices.
Gaza after the Ceasefire
Q: Can you describe what life is like for ordinary people in Gaza since the ceasefire and how it has changed (or not)?
People in Gaza endure a static, grueling reality: housing destruction, ruined infrastructure, and a constant struggle for basics like water and shelter, compounded by a refusal of a durable political settlement that would end the occupation or dismantle the siege.
A Rough Guide to Money Laundering
Q: What policy changes could most effectively reduce money laundering, according to Bullock and the books you discuss?
Potential changes include eliminating high-denomination notes to reduce cash-based laundering, improving detection of current tactics by focusing on present behaviors rather than past crimes, and reforming VAT and cross-border regulations to close exploitative loopholes like MTIC.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Location
Interests
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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?

This program features long-form conversations with scholars, journalists, and policy thinkers who dissect politics, culture, and global affairs through historical and contemporary lenses. Episodes frequently cover topics like political economy, international relations, and literary or philosophical analysis, often anchored by well-connected editors at a leading culture magazine. The show stands out for its pluralist panel format, deep-dive debates, and access to high-profile guests, though listeners sometimes note uneven pacing or host style as a variable. It's likely to appeal to listeners who enjoy thoughtful, context-rich discussions that blend academia, journalism, and public policy, with a consistent emphasis on Europe, the UK, and glo... 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. Ones and Tooze

How many episodes of The LRB Podcast are there?

The LRB Podcast launched 14 years ago and published 462 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. Gary Gerstle
2. Vadim Nikitin
3. Bhanu Kapil
4. Yousif M. Qasmiyeh
5. Will Davies
6. Patrick Maguire
7. Jake Skeets
8. Ishion Hutchinson

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