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Artwork for The Waterstones Podcast

The Waterstones Podcast

Waterstones
Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize
Love
Art
Long Island
Mental Health
Family Dynamics
Identity
The Ministry Of Time
London
Grief
Brooklyn
Climate Change
History
George Michael
Literature
London, United Kingdom
Women's Rights
How To Kill Your Family
Orbital
Time Travel

Going beyond the book with a wide range of authors to discover the story behind the books we love.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes207Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

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Artwork for The Waterstones Podcast

Latest Episodes

Winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-fiction 2026, Edmund Richardson came in to speak with us about his quest to better understand one of the most elusive figures from ancient history: Alexander the Great. From his childhood obsession with Hom... more

Kyle MacLachlan is an actor with such range that everyone seems to know him from a different piece of work. From his debut in Dune, to iconic roles in Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives, he's always seemed to be brave ... more

YouTube

The only thing better than talking to Judi Dench about her career in acting is to talk to her a SECOND time! We were delighted to be invited back to her home for a conversation alongside Brendan O'Hea about her work on stage, TV and film, and some in... more

YouTube

Taking inspiration from the life of Gustave Flaubert, the new novel from Elif Shafak flips expectations by giving voice to the women who shaped him. In an inspiring conversation about creativity in times of crisis and conflict, we spoke with her abou... more

YouTube

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

Kyle MacLachlan
Actor known for roles in Dune, Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Sex and the City and Desperate Housewives
Episode: Kyle MacLachlan
Judi Dench
English actor known for her work on stage, television and film
Episode: Judi Dench: an encore!
Brendan O'Hea
Actor and longtime collaborator of Judi Dench
Episode: Judi Dench: an encore!
Elif Shafak
Novelist and author of In One Brief Moment or Eternity
Episode: Elif Shafak
Louise Kennedy
Author of Stations, interviewed about her novel and writing process
Independent author (Irish author)
Episode: Louise Kennedy
Ann Patchett
Author of Whistler and other novels
HarperCollins (US publisher)
Episode: Ann Patchett
Xand van Tulleken
Guest, author and physician
Author of Make Me Well
Episode: Xand van Tulleken
Rebecca F. Kuang
Author of Taipei Story, discussing linguistic relativity and themes in the book
Author
Episode: Rebecca F. Kuang returns!
Kate Atkinson
Author of Our Noble Selves
Episode: Kate Atkinson

Host

Will Rycroft
Host of The Waterstones Podcast

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 357 ratings
  • Can someone help them with the sound quality

    I love this podcast but why is the sound quality like that

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AnnaLFW
    Germany2 months ago
  • Less Host Talking

    Great guests like Nigel Slater ; would be 5 star if host spoke much much less!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    trillionshelper
    United States2 years ago
  • Great for finding new authors!

    Love the interviewer and short interviews. Always a good listen to expand my reading horizons!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shooker374
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Fantastic

    A nicely varied podcast about books, with authors, actors and humans discussing all aspects of books and our lives!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hanrutous
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • My favourite!

    This is the best bookish podcast I’ve come across. So enjoying each conversation, emotive themes explored but communicated in a lighthearted and warm style. LOVE ❤️📚

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AlishaBens0n
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is noted for variety, including memoirs, history, and children's literature.
Many appreciate the thematic structure and craft-focused conversations.
Guests are described as insightful and the host's warmth keeps discussions engaging.
Listeners praise the interview depth and range of authors, from debuts to established voices.
Some criticism exists around pacing in longer episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#36
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#14
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#47
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#168
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#31
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#105
Australia/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Kyle MacLachlan
Q: What did it mean to you when Marcia Cross said you were always undercutting your power, and how did you take that forwards?
MacLachlan accepted the observation as truthful and began working on it. He later explored a more absolute, controlling kind of power in his portrayal of Mr. C in Twin Peaks: The Return, while deliberately separating the character from his family life.
Kyle MacLachlan
Q: Can you describe the moment during the Dune screen test when fear got to you and David Lynch helped you through it?
MacLachlan was asked to look directly into the camera while delivering a speech to the Fremen. He felt overwhelmed and told Lynch he did not know if he could do it. Lynch calmly reassured him, and MacLachlan delivered the speech on the next take.
Judi Dench: an encore!
Q: How does that work and has that ever got you into trouble?
Dench says she often prefers a director to tell her the story rather than reading the script herself. It has caused trouble, including when she discovered during a first reading of The Royal Family that she had accepted the play without knowing what happened in it.
Judi Dench: an encore!
Q: What was it like having your father's workplace, you know, GP surgery in your house?
Dench recalls that the front room served as a waiting room for her father's patients. She and her brother once fired dried peas at them using a brass curtain rod and were severely reprimanded.
Elif Shafak
Q: Whether at the end of writing this book, you were filled with a hope that hadn't been there at the beginning of the writing of it?
Shafak says writing renewed her faith in literature. She sees hope not as forced cheerfulness, but as transforming difficult emotions into creative work and continuing to connect with humanity.

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 Waterstones Podcast

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

A thoughtfully curated book-centered interview series that covers a wide range of authors—from debut fiction writers to established literary voices—alongside historians and illustrators. Episodes typically center on craft, thematic explorations, and the real-life inspirations behind acclaimed books, with recurring strengths in memoir, historical fiction, and children's literature. Listeners often get deep dives into process, research, and the intersection of literature with culture, memory, and place, all delivered in warm, insightful conversations. The show's appeal lies in its thematic variety, strong interview technique, and a balanced mix of debut spotlight episodes and author deep-dives, making it a good fit for readers who want both d... more

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How many listeners does The Waterstones Podcast get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Waterstones Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Waterstones Podcast 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 Waterstones Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Waterstones Podcast:

1. Take Four Books
2. A Good Read
3. Ask Penguin
4. Bookclub
5. The Radio 2 Book Club

How many episodes of The Waterstones Podcast are there?

The Waterstones Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 207 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 Waterstones Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on The Waterstones Podcast?

Recent guests on The Waterstones Podcast include:

1. Kyle MacLachlan
2. Judi Dench
3. Brendan O'Hea
4. Elif Shafak
5. Louise Kennedy
6. Ann Patchett
7. Xand van Tulleken
8. Rebecca F. Kuang

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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