Thinking Allowed
BBC Radio 4New research on how society works
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 586 | Founded | 19 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureScience | |||
Listen to this Podcast
Latest Episodes
What does it mean to grow older in Britain today? Laurie Taylor explores the changing realities of later life, from health and independence to inequality and support.
Professor Judith Phillips OBE, Professor of Gerontology at the University of Stirl... more
What does it really mean to give something away - or to buy something second-hand? And what, in the process, are we choosing not to see? Laurie Taylor talks to Gaby Harris, Sociologist and Lecturer in Fashion Cultures at Manchester Metropolitan Unive... more
How have South Asian communities in Britain fought for rights, dignity and belonging - and what can that history teach us today?
Laurie Taylor explores the overlooked histories of labour struggle, resistance and political activism among South Asian ... more
What happens when we tell the story of modern Britain as part of a much bigger, global history? Professor Kate Pickett OBE has recently been appointed as the UK's first-ever Professor for the Public Understanding of Social Science at the University o... more
Key Facts
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Recent Guests
Host
Reviews
- Thinking Not Allowed
Interesting topics but always one sided views.
Apple Podcasts2SamMahony
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 Podcasts5jaxvarese
United Kingdom2 years 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 Addict22 years agoCeriseThe 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 Addict12 years ago64bitAtheist- 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 Podcasts5pvk prasad
India2 years ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #215 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #219 |  Chile/Top Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #22 | Chile/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #123 |  Ukraine/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #175 |  Russia/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #184 |  Belgium/Society & Culture |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Thinking Allowed
What is Thinking Allowed about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Thoughtful, long-form conversations on how society works, drawing on sociology, politics, history, and culture. Episodes spotlight researchers and thinkers who unpack complex topics—debt, wealth inequality, urban change, death, media, and state power—through expert interviews and case studies. A notable strength is the habit of weaving rigorous scholarly analysis with accessible storytelling, often linking theory to everyday life. Listeners can expect in-depth, reflective discussions that reward careful listening, with occasional critiques about pacing or balance across viewpoints.
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?
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Which podcasts are similar to Thinking Allowed?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Thinking Allowed:
1. More or Less
2. Start the Week
3. In Our Time
4. Great Lives
5. Moral Maze
How many episodes of Thinking Allowed are there?
Thinking Allowed launched 19 years ago and published 586 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?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Thinking Allowed?
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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Thinking Allowed?
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What guests have appeared on Thinking Allowed?
Recent guests on Thinking Allowed include:
1. Kingsley Purdam
2. Judith Phillips
3. Gaby Harris
4. Triona Fitton
5. Taj Ali
6. Aleena Din
7. Kate Pickett
8. Les Back
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.