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Artwork for Artists at Work

Artists at Work

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

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 monthlyEpisodes299Founded19 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Artists at Work

Latest Episodes

An edition of In The Studio on the subject that became the dominant story across the world in the summer of 2026. In December 2024, the Scottish poet Leonie Charlton’s house burned to the ground. From that moment, Leonie was obsessed with fire. She s... more

In the south of England, Hastings' traditional Jack in the Green takes place every early May Day weekend and sees a seven foot-tall conical tower of leaves - the Jack - being processed through the old fishing quarters of the town before being led up ... more

The Bayeux Tapestry has English history stitched into its fabric, depicting the last time the country was invaded, by William the Conqueror in 1066. France has been its home since then. But now thanks to high-level negotiations involving President Em... more

Steve Levine is a multi-award winning British record producer. He has produced albums for stars ranging from Deniece Williams to China Crisis; from Ziggy Marley to Quarterflash; as well as being producer of Culture Club’s first three multi-platinum s... more

Key Facts

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

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People also subscribe to these shows.

Bookclub
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Take Four BooksBBC Radio 4

Recent Guests

Jane Wildgoose
Artist involved in the procession, antlers and foliage
Liverpool-based? (mentioned as participant in Hastings festival)
Episode: In the Studio: Jack in the Green
Andrew Cotting
Artist involved in the procession, known for visual art pieces
UK-based artist
Episode: In the Studio: Jack in the Green
Simon Costin
Folklorist from the Gay Bogey Troop
Folklorist
Episode: In the Studio: Jack in the Green
Daisy Black
Academic and storyteller
Episode: In the Studio: The Bayeux Tapestry
Belinda Carlisle
Go-Go's founder member and solo artist
Belinda Carlisle/Go-Go's
Episode: Steve Levine: Revisiting the Beach Boys
Jerry Beckley
Founder member of America
America
Episode: Steve Levine: Revisiting the Beach Boys
Michael Callan
Irish poet, author, Beach Boys expert
Independent scholar/author
Episode: Steve Levine: Revisiting the Beach Boys
Billy Smith
Songwriter/performer, Smith and Liddell
Smith and Liddell
Episode: Steve Levine: Revisiting the Beach Boys
Elizabeth Liddell
Songwriter/performer, Smith and Liddell
Smith and Liddell
Episode: Steve Levine: Revisiting the Beach Boys

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 States7 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 States8 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
#135
Chile/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#160
Philippines/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#195
Argentina/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#208
South Korea/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#232
Colombia/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Steve Levine: Revisiting the Beach Boys
Q: With the new mix, are there extras or new elements added to the Beach Boys material?
Steve explains that there are some additions, including a longer end section and improved balance of guitar riffs, while preserving the core Beach Boys vocal performances and avoiding modern tuning to maintain authenticity.
Daniyal Mueenuddin : This is Where the Serpent Lives
Q: Do you see the betrayals in the book as individual moral failings or inevitable outcomes of systemic pressures?
Both. The betrayals arise from personal moral failings intensified by circumstantial pressures; the system and power dynamics shape choices, but individuals still carry responsibility for their actions.
Daniyal Mueenuddin : This is Where the Serpent Lives
Q: Uliya writes that the story highlights gross classism in Pakistan. As a beneficiary of that system, why did you choose to write about this?
I write what I know from generations of farming and business in Pakistan; the aim is to portray life with honesty and offer a nuanced portrayal of all sides, including the servitors who are part of the system but also individuals with their own ambitions and 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 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. A Good Read
3. Take Four Books
4. The Waterstones Podcast
5. The TLS Podcast

How many episodes of Artists at Work are there?

Artists at Work launched 19 years ago and published 299 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. Jane Wildgoose
2. Andrew Cotting
3. Simon Costin
4. Daisy Black
5. Belinda Carlisle
6. Jerry Beckley
7. Michael Callan
8. Billy Smith

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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