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In an era of news fatigue and constant information, Prospect steps back from the daily news grind—asking not just what is happening, but why.

Join Prospect editors Alona Ferber and Imaan Irfan, along with the magazine’s cast of contributors, to explore the people and trends that explain the world today.

Each week, we explain the ideas behind the week’s biggest stories. From populism and protest t... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes507Founded10 years ago
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PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Tell Me Why

Latest Episodes

In the last 10 days, far-right parties have failed at the ballot box in Brazil, Serbia, Israel, and now the United States. Is the fight for democracy on?

This week, Alona and Imaan are joined in the studio by Prospect’s Preeti Jha. Preeti argues tha... more

Sales of tinned food and wind-up radios have rocketed since the government announced that UK families should prepare for potential crises. But preparedness advocates—or “preppers”—have been saying this for years.

In this episode, Imaan and Alona are... more

Content warning: This episode contains discussion of sexual violence

The Cornell story has shocked many. But how surprised are we really?

This week, Alona and Imaan are joined by Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley and former minister f... more

Would you care if AI wrote your favourite novel? In the second episode of Tell Me Why, tech journalist and Londoner editor Alys Key joins Prospect’s Alona Ferber and Imaan Irfan. They explore how artificial intelligence is shaping literature, after r... more

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Recent Guests

Preeti Jha
Prospect interim deputy editor who has reported on democracy movements across Asia
Prospect
Episode: Tell Me Why... The fight for democracy is on
Philip Collins
Prospect editor and former speechwriter in the Tony Blair government
Prospect
Episode: Tell Me Why… The preppers were right all along
Jess Phillips
Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley and former minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls.
Labour Party
Episode: Tell Me Why... The Cornell 7 case could happen here
Alys Key
Editor of The Londoner, journalist
The Londoner
Episode: Tell Me Why... AI has killed the author
Naomi Klein
Writer and documentary maker, co-author of End Times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World
Author/Documentary Maker
Episode: Tell Me Why... Fascism has a new face, ft. Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor
Astra Taylor
Writer and documentary maker, co-author of End Times Fascism and the Fight for the Living World
Author/Documentary Maker
Episode: Tell Me Why... Fascism has a new face, ft. Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor
Ethan Zuckerman
Prospect Contributor and Associate Professor
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Episode: Ethan Zuckerman: Will artificial intelligence destroy us all?
Dame Sheila Hancock
Actor and writer who discusses collective emotion around the eclipse and skepticism about clerical titles
Independent (via Prospect Lives interview)
Episode: Prospect Lives: Unexpected lessons from my alcoholic father
Vitali Vitaliev
Second life writer, reflecting on his Soviet life and its echoes in contemporary society
Independent writer
Episode: Prospect Lives: Unexpected lessons from my alcoholic father

Hosts

Ellen Halliday
Host of The Prospect Podcast; Deputy Editor; Prospect Magazine
Alona Ferber
Co-host on The Prospect Podcast; Senior Editor at Prospect Magazine

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 177 ratings
  • Kim Darroch episode

    I've just listened to the episode in which the main protagonist in the war on Iran isn't even mentioned. How extraordinary. Are listeners taken to be fools?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    takasa1978
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Episode on nuclear threat from presenter who can’t say “nuclear”

    Was really looking forward to Serhii Plokhy on nuclear threat only to be aurally assaulted by a presenter who says “nucular”. What’s so difficult about “new clear”? She’s also one of those too fond of “ kind of” which for me is the mental equivalent of driving down a potholed road.

    Had to give up, not for the first time. Because I’m interested I read the transcript.

    Can be excellent but sometimes impossible so I went first 3

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Lacwn
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Lucky Australia

    You’d never know from listening to that podcast about why Australia is better that a lot of the wealth, both common and private, came from a mass expropriation of land, water and other resources from the original owners.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Lynette responds
    Australia2 years ago
  • Assisted dying with jaunty break music

    A serious, sober and thoughtful conversation - interspersed by jarring jingly “showbiz” music. Surreal!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Dissatisfied2019
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • British magazine. Good. But they interviewed an author and neither interviewer had read his entire vote. I do, and strongly recommend you also, reserve 5 stars for truly outstanding podcasts so those ratings are more meaningful and the best podcasts stand out. This is good but not great.

    Podcast Addict
    4
    curmudgeon
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critiques note audio quality or pacing can vary between episodes.
Listeners praise rigorous, well-argued discussions and strong guest lineups.
A few listeners feel some episodes favor certain viewpoints or topics over others.
Praise for insightful takes on complex issues like demographics, data, and policy.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#175
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#210
South Africa/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Tell Me Why... The fight for democracy is on
Q: I'd be quite interested to know about the impact that a particular electoral system has on division. From your personal experience in Israel, which uses a proportional representation, isn't it?
Ferber says proportional representation can reflect a divided electorate while also allowing small parties to wield outsized influence in coalition negotiations. She describes the relationship between electoral systems and division as difficult to disentangle and potentially self-reinforcing.
Tell Me Why... The fight for democracy is on
Q: You mentioned Myanmar. I mean, that seems like an even more extreme example of what you were describing. What did that sort of resistance look like there?
Jha describes Gen Z-led protests using attention-grabbing costumes and explains how activists, journalists, and colleagues relied on networks built by earlier generations when the military crackdown forced many into hiding or exile.
Tell Me Why… The preppers were right all along
Q: How do you get the message of a crisis across without unduly worrying people, while paying due respect to its severity?
Collins recommends sharing available information clearly and promptly, avoiding unnecessary anxiety while acknowledging genuine concerns. Preparation helps governments communicate credibly, and trusted experts may be more effective messengers than elected politicians.
Tell Me Why… The preppers were right all along
Q: Are preppers the Cassandras of today?
Collins says preparedness advocates may be vindicated if a crisis makes emergency supplies necessary, but it is not yet clear that three days of beans, water and a radio would meet the need. He sees short-term readiness for extreme weather as reasonable, while questioning whether the public messaging has been effective.
Tell Me Why... The Cornell 7 case could happen here
Q: Tell us why the UK government still hasn't stopped it.
Phillips says she resigned over a conflict between tech companies' economic value and children's safety, especially online child sexual abuse. She argues that institutions prioritize economic growth and fail to prevent online harms or rebalance power.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Tell Me Why

What is Tell Me Why about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show features sharp, policy-forward conversations with journalists, politicians, academics, and public figures who explore politics, economy, and culture through rigorous analysis and global perspectives. Episodes frequently tackle power dynamics, governance, and social issues—from longevity and health policy to corruption, data, and the future of work—often placing emerging ideas in a broader political and social context. Noteworthies include deep dives into public interest topics, with an emphasis on accessibility of complex ideas and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom. The format tends to pair critical inquiry with clear-eyed discussion, making it useful for listeners who want substantive insight into how policy and cult... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with Tell Me Why:

1. The Politics Show
2. Past Present Future
3. Politics Weekly UK
4. Political Fix
5. The LRB Podcast

How many episodes of Tell Me Why are there?

Tell Me Why launched 10 years ago and published 507 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 Tell Me Why?

Recent guests on Tell Me Why include:

1. Preeti Jha
2. Philip Collins
3. Jess Phillips
4. Alys Key
5. Naomi Klein
6. Astra Taylor
7. Ethan Zuckerman
8. Dame Sheila Hancock

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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