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Thinking Allowed

BBC Radio 4
Capitalism
Global Mobility
England
Inequality
Citizenship
Passport
Country Houses
English National Identity
Cultural History
Migration
Brexit
Heritage
Society
Surveillance
Nation State
World War II
Cultural Geography
Anonymity
Pseudonymity
Swiming Pools

New research on how society works

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes579Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Thinking Allowed

Latest Episodes

What does an 18-month study of residents on a housing estate in southern England tell us about living with debt? Laurie Taylor talks to Ryan Davey from Cardiff University about his new book The Personal Life of Debt - Coercion, Subjectivity and Inequ... more

What can the worlds of mountaineering and endurance running reveal about changing ideas of freedom, identity and the body? Laurie Taylor talks to Sarah Lonsdale, Senior Lecturer in Journalism at City, University of London, about her new book Wildly D... more

What explains the apparent decline of grand theory in sociology, and what does this shift mean for the discipline today? Laurie Taylor asks whether sociologists are now less inclined to engage with large, overarching theoretical frameworks, and explo... more

What do we learn when a city’s future is defined not by rapid change, but by who leaves and who stays? Laurie Taylor looks at two neighbourhoods in different countries, during different periods in history and explores the human cost of gentrification... more

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Recent Guests

Carl Morris
Senior lecturer in social psychology and ultra runner
University of Lancashire
Episode: Extreme Sports
Sarah Lonsdale
Senior lecturer in journalism and author
City, University
Episode: Extreme Sports
Imogen Tyler
Professor of Sociology at the University of Lancaster
University of Lancaster
Episode: The demise of Grand Theory?
Les Back
Professor of Sociology at the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
Episode: The demise of Grand Theory?
Matt Houlbrook
Professor of Cultural History at the University of Birmingham and author
University of Birmingham
Episode: Gentrification in Detroit and London
Sharon Cornelissen
Sociologist and director of housing at the Consumer Federation of America
Consumer Federation of America
Episode: Gentrification in Detroit and London
Kate Herrity
Formerly the Mellon King's Research Fellow in Punishment at King's College, University of Cambridge, now focusing on the sensory life of prisons.
King's College, University of Cambridge
Episode: Prison violence, sound and survival
Kate Gooch
Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Bath and author of Prison Violence, The Search for Recognition and Respect.
University of Bath
Episode: Prison violence, sound and survival
Nina Khrushcheva
Professor of international affairs at The New School and great-granddaughter of Nikita Khrushchev.
The New School
Episode: Russian Propaganda

Host

Laurie Taylor
Laurie Taylor is a notable host recognized for his engaging discussions and ability to navigate complex social topics with intelligence and wit. He often brings personal anecdotes into his interviews, contributing to a relatable presentation style.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.8k ratings
  • Thinking Not Allowed

    Interesting topics but always one sided views.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    SamMahony
    United Statesa year ago
  • Trips down memory lane

    Always love Laurie’s anecdotes about his childhood,teens & as a YP re food,going to a dance,hanging out in a coffee bar,music!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jaxvarese
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • A sad decline

    I used to really enjoy this podcast. However, it's become more and more lightweight. The depressingly trivial, lazy and one-sided last straw was the episode on capitalism.

    Podcast Addict
    2
    Cerise
    2 years ago
  • The absolute state of the political bias from recent contributors. I remember this programme being an excellent contribution to the Western canon, however that time has long since pasted.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    64bitAtheist
    2 years ago
  • The art of intellectual conversation

    You got to hand it to old BBC radio heads like Laurie — they’ve perfected the form back then and continue to do so in the digital era. Thoughtful conversation without gimmicks, which respects the audience’s intelligence. Moreover Thinking Allowed truly embodies the spirit of old sociology, which not for nothing they used to call the queen of the social sciences. There is no such thing, then, as a bad topic of conversation when it is animated by a sociological imagination and inquiry into the ori... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pvk prasad
    India2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Negative feedback cites a need for less scripted conversations and a broader range of viewpoints.
The host's experiences and anecdotes resonate well with the audience, adding a personal touch.
There is a demand for more diverse perspectives on debated topics.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful exploration of sociological issues.
Quality discussions often include expert insights that enrich the content.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Extreme Sports
Q: Tell me about the participation of women in this sport.
Women historically faced barriers, including misogyny and bans from governing bodies, but have found spaces to participate informally in ultra running.
Extreme Sports
Q: How does running make you feel?
Running evokes a sense of everything and nothing, with thoughts coming and going like clouds.
Prison violence, sound and survival
Q: What did you learn about the major causes of violence?
High levels of prison violence are influenced more by the environment than by individual actions.
Dogs
Q: Do you really hope that a better understanding of dogs might encourage us to give them more freedom to live their lives as dogs?
Yes, improving living conditions and understanding their needs can lead to better relationships and welfare for dogs.
Dogs
Q: Tell me about how these developments led to the emergence of what we might call the modern dog.
The expansion of cities repurposed rural dogs as pets, providing solace to urban dwellers amidst the chaos of industrial life.

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 Thinking Allowed

What is Thinking Allowed about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Content typically revolves around critical examinations of societal structures and cultural practices. Notable themes include discussions on the evolution of modern practices, the implications of historical narratives, and the intersections of various social issues such as motherhood, education, migration, and wealth inequality. The podcast is characterized by a thoughtful approach to complex topics, often featuring guest experts who provide in-depth analyses. The exploration of both historical and contemporary issues allows listeners to gain a richer understanding of how societal norms and values have evolved over time, making it appealing for those interested in sociology and cultural studies.

Where can I find podcast stats for Thinking Allowed?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Thinking Allowed. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Thinking Allowed and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Thinking Allowed get?

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What are the audience demographics for Thinking Allowed?

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How many subscribers and views does Thinking Allowed have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Thinking Allowed 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 Thinking Allowed?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Thinking Allowed:

1. More or Less
2. In Our Time
3. Great Lives
4. The Audio Long Read
5. The Life Scientific

How many episodes of Thinking Allowed are there?

Thinking Allowed launched 19 years ago and published 579 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 Thinking Allowed?

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 Thinking Allowed?

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What guests have appeared on Thinking Allowed?

Recent guests on Thinking Allowed include:

1. Carl Morris
2. Sarah Lonsdale
3. Imogen Tyler
4. Les Back
5. Matt Houlbrook
6. Sharon Cornelissen
7. Kate Herrity
8. Kate Gooch

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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