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Artwork for Artists at Work

Artists at Work

BBC World Service
In the Night Of Time
Spanish Civil War
Toronto
His Bloody Project
Scary Monsters
Mexican Gothic
World War II
Literature
Racism
Feminism
Tasting Sunlight
Historical Fiction
Ignacio Abel
19th Century Scotland
Identity
Museo Nacional Del Prado
Civil War
House Of Anansi Press
Storytelling
The Dutch House

How creatives write, perform and make art, design and music. The home of arts and culture from BBC World Service.

In The Studio follows the world’s leading creative figures while they work. Nikki Bedi hosts The Arts Hour, with news of the latest releases from around the world, and in World Book Club Harriett Gilbert puts your questions and comments to best-selling authors.

In the Studio episodes a... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes305Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Artists at Work

Latest Episodes

Nikki Bedi speaks to Sudanese Russian director Suzannah Mirghani about her latest film, Cotton Queen and discusses this week’s cultural highlights with critic Hanna Flint: Tom Cruise and Oscar winning Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu on t... more

In Berlin, three artists have come together to make some unusual music. They’re not a regular rock band in a commercial recording studio, but in an experimental space, where rare vintage synthesisers from Cold War East Germany sit alongside contempor... more

Josie Long interviews one of the masters of modern horror, Paul Tremblay. He answers your questions on on of his best loved novels, A Head Full of Ghosts.

The story centres on the Barretts, a typical New England suburban family, torn apart when thei... more

Nikki Bedi speaks to American poet, author, and artist Rachel Eliza Griffiths about the extraordinary new documentary film Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie and discusses this week’s cultural highlights with critic William Lee Adams:

Ame... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Paul Tremblay
Author of A Head Full of Ghosts
Author
Episode: World Book Club: Paul Tremblay, A Head Full of Ghosts
Saoirse Ronan
Actor and film star, longtime Oscar-nominated performer
Film industry
Episode: The Arts Hour: Saoirse Ronan and Rachel Eliza Griffiths
Fanny Herrero
Creator and writer of Call My Agent (Dix Pour Cent)
Call My Agent / Dix Pour Cent
Episode: The Arts Hour: Saoirse Ronan and Rachel Eliza Griffiths
Rebecca Kuang
Chinese American novelist and author of Taipei Story
Author, Publisher
Episode: The Arts Hour: Saoirse Ronan and Rachel Eliza Griffiths
Dave Green
Director of Coyote vs Acme
Warner Bros. / Film director
Episode: The Arts Hour: Saoirse Ronan and Rachel Eliza Griffiths
Rachel Eliza Griffiths
Poet, novelist, photographer, and visual artist
Creator of Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie
Episode: The Arts Hour: Saoirse Ronan and Rachel Eliza Griffiths
William Lee Adams
Broadcaster and cultural critic
BBC World Service
Episode: The Arts Hour: Saoirse Ronan and Rachel Eliza Griffiths
Leïla Slimani
French-Moroccan novelist and playwright
Author; adapting Tolstoy for the stage
Episode: In the Studio: Leïla Slimani takes on Tolstoy
Nicholas Winding Refn
Danish filmmaker known for Pusha trilogy, Bronson, Drive, Neon Demon
Director
Episode: The Arts Hour: Juliette Binoche and Nicholas Winding Refn

Host

Harriett Gilbert
Host of World Book Club (BBC) with a reputation for warm, insightful interviewing and a global perspective.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Decline in books discussed

    This used to be one of my favorite podcasts and I looked forward to a new episode each month. But with the new producer the types of books discussed have become cheesy best sellers with less substance. The books used to be literary and thought provoking. These shallow picks aren’t worth reading let alone discussing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Dddddiiiisssapointing
    United States8 months ago
  • Polyandry

    Thank you for the novel. I have always wondered about Draupadi's point of view. Who did she love most? Did she feel sexually liberated or even more enslaved? How can one not especially as a woman?! Just wanted to also point out that albeit polyandry was rare in ancient and medieval India and other parts of the world, it was a social and economic practice especially in the North where resources were scarce.

    I am not allowed to paste the link here but you can find readings on polyandry as a pra... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joytsna
    United States9 months ago
  • Paradise

    A startling and disturbing book which took me on a journey at times funny and tragic. This is a haunting story of humanity emerging with hope despite oppression and cruelty. Deals with huge themes as all good literature does. I didn’t know this author but shall read more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    damme lorraine
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Excellent episode

    I love all of your episodes. The NK Jamison episode was epic.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ansleystreetpress
    United Statesa year ago
  • Without a doubt, my favorite podcast of all time

    I’ve been listening to the World Book Club for many years and have gone back through the entire archive more than once. I think Harriett Gilbert is an outstanding interviewer. She’s authentic, not snobbish, and warm-hearted. And I really like the format; entirely different from the other literature podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lisajanrose
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many appreciate the global perspective and wide range of authors.
Some listeners critique changes in production or book choices during transitions.
The format is seen as thoughtful and enriching for book lovers.
Listeners praise the host's warmth and deep questions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#153
Argentina/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#160
Singapore/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#169
Chile/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#180
Finland/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#243
New Zealand/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Arts Hour: Juliette Binoche and Nicholas Winding Refn
Q: What personal experiences influenced the creation of Her Private Hell after Nicholas Winding Refn's heart failure?
Refn explains that his near-death experience led to a heightened awareness of time and a desire to create with greater intention, treating cinema as a lasting, meaningful act rather than a rushed or algorithm-driven process.
The Arts Hour: Saoirse Ronan and Rachel Eliza Griffiths
Q: How did you decide to include the final attack footage at the end of the film?
The panel agreed that revealing the attack at the end deepens emotional impact and context, allowing viewers to invest in the people before confronting the most devastating moment, which Alex Gibney captures with sensitivity.
The Arts Hour: Saoirse Ronan and Rachel Eliza Griffiths
Q: What drew you to tell the story of Knife and Salman Rushdie now?
The guests discuss a shared sense of responsibility to document resilience and the human cost of extremism, emphasizing how the film places recovery and memory at the center of a larger conversation about freedom and witness.
Steve Levine: Revisiting the Beach Boys
Q: What stands out about working with Brian Wilson in the studio during the 85 project?
The conversation highlights Brian's inspirational moments, the tension with Eugene Landy, and how Levine helped harness Brian's creativity at a crucial, rejuvenated phase in his career, enabling powerful vocal performances.
Steve Levine: Revisiting the Beach Boys
Q: How did you approach recording the Beach Boys' harmonies to retain the classic sound while leveraging modern technology?
Levine details the use of a combination of techniques: sometimes all around one mic for ensemble balance, other times separate mic placements and double-tracking; he also discusses strategic use of Fairlight sampling and stereo upgrades without over-tuning their vocals.

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 Artists at Work

What is Artists at Work about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners are drawn to thoughtful literary conversations that pair deep dives into a book's themes with insights into writing, research, and the author's perspective. Episodes cover a wide range of genres—historical fiction, crime, gothic and literary novels—often highlighting the author's process, historical context, and the ethics of storytelling. The show tends to feature celebrated or emerging writers, moderators who foster nuanced questions, and a global audience asking diverse questions, which makes it a strong fit for readers who enjoy him/her being guided through complex narratives and cultural contexts. A standout element is the host's facilitation style, which many listeners describe as warm, knowledgeable, and international in sc... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Artists at Work?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Artists at Work:

1. Bookclub
2. Take Four Books
3. The Waterstones Podcast
4. Ask Penguin
5. This Cultural Life

How many episodes of Artists at Work are there?

Artists at Work launched 19 years ago and published 305 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 Artists at Work?

Recent guests on Artists at Work include:

1. Paul Tremblay
2. Saoirse Ronan
3. Fanny Herrero
4. Rebecca Kuang
5. Dave Green
6. Rachel Eliza Griffiths
7. William Lee Adams
8. Leïla Slimani

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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