The Spectator Podcast

For 30 years Damian Thompson has been bored senseless by the public pronouncements of bishops – Anglicans and Catholics. Why do they feel the need to speak in such dreary jargon? Why do interesting clergy never make it to bishop? He's joined by Harry Mount, editor of The Oldie.Holy Smoke looks at the most important and controversial topics in world religion, thoroughly dissected by a range of high profile guests. Presented by Damian Thompson.

It's been a somewhat bonkers week in Westminster. The government seems to be going into a full Brexit meltdown and it's likely that Brexit will be delayed. So, where do we go from here (00:45)? We also take a look at the Democratic Party's anti-Semitism problem (17:35) and at the end, Lara Prendergast is given a tarot reading (26:10).With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Peter Foster, Freddy Gray, Kate Andrews and Jennifer Cownie.Presented by Lara Prendergast.Produced by Cindy Yu and Alastair Thomas.

In this week’s books podcast Sam is joined by Owen Matthews to talk about the man many have claimed was the greatest spy of the 20th century, Richard Sorge, the subject of Owen’s riveting new book An Impeccable Spy (reviewed in the new issue of The Spectator by Nicholas Shakespeare). Sorge (he’s pronounced 'zorgey', by the way — not, as I introduce the podcast, idiot that I am, 'sawj'). Here was a man who supplied information that changed the course of the Second World War — and far from being the sort of glum duffelcoated figure who populates Le Carre’s “Circus” — he really did lead an existence of James Bondish extravagance. He played the Germans off against the Japanese, all for the benefit of the Russians — and did so while drinking like a fish, seducing every woman he crossed paths with, waving around samurai swords and roaring about on a motorbike. Owen has the low-down on this “bad man who became a great spy”.Literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from po

An expert panel discusses the truth behind the headlines and ask: what does no deal really mean?With George Eustice, Suella Braverman, Nicky Morgan, Dominic Grieve, and James Forsyth. Hosted by Fraser Nelson.

With Katy Balls and James Forsyth.Presented by Fraser Nelson.

Mary Curnock Cook is an educationalist and former head of Ucas. On this podcast, she talks about leaving school at 16, how boys suffer from the real gender gap in education, and why it would be 'ludicrous' to abolish university tuition fees.Presented by Katy Balls.

This week, we look at the rise of woke corporations, and how concepts like 'microaggressions', 'allyship', and 'toxic masculinity' are starting to enter the workplace (00:35). We also hear about Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - he's fallen from grace, and does he have anyone to blame but himself (13:40)? Plus, we hear about Shanghai's marriage market (20:05), and there's even an apology from Rod Liddle at the end (28:40).With Toby Young, Berkeley Wilde, Leah McLaren, Leyland Cecco, Cindy Yu, Yuan Ren, Rod Liddle, and James Bartholomew.Presented by Lara Prendergast.Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thaganrajah.

With Josh Glancy, Washington Correspondent for the Sunday Times.Presented by Freddy Gray.

In this week's books podcast Sam talks to Max Porter, former publisher at Granta and author of the prizewinning debut Grief Is The Thing With Feathers, about his brilliant new novel Lanny (reviewed by Andrew Motion here). He asks: why are we used to novels having 15 page boring bits? What does the Green Man myth, and myth in general, have to offer readers? How do you convey the white noise of a village's chatter on the page? And which Thomas brother is the best: Dylan or RS?

With Daniel McCarthy, the Editor of Modern Age.Presented by Freddy Gray.

In this episode of Table Talk, Lara and Livvy talk to Ella Risbridger, chef and writer, whose new recipe book is Midnight Chicken: & Other Recipes Worth Living For. It's part memoir, part cookery; exploring mental health, friendship, love, and the redemptive power of food and cooking. On the podcast, Ella talks about the man that she moved from Dubai to London for, what it's like to be the cover girl of Aga Living (can you tell she grew up with an aga?), and the recipe for the best roast chicken in the world.Please note that this podcast features a candid discussion of suicide and suicide ideation.Table Talk is a series of podcasts where celebrity guests talk about their life stories, through the food and drink that have come to define them.

Isabel Hardman brings you the highlights from Sunday's political interviews. Today's podcast features John McDonnell, Joan Ryan, Caroline Flint, Liam Fox and Tony Blair. Produced by Matthew Taylor.

With Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.Presented by Katy Balls.

This week: May and Corbyn were dragged reluctantly to new positions on Brexit. So, have they lost control of their parties? And what does this mean for a timely Brexit, or indeed, Brexit at all (00:45)? Lara also talks to our Literary Editor, Sam Leith, on the joys of videogaming. What’s behind the success of this £4 billion industry (21:20)?With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Nick Boles MP, Sienna Rodgers, Sam Leith, and Harry Darwin.Presented by Lara Prendergast.Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thaganrajah.

In this week’s books podcast Sam talks to Peter Stanford, author of Angels: A Visible and Invisible History. Why is it that, according to some polls, more people believe in angels than believe in God? Peter takes us on a tour through history, theology and literature to find how the winged cherubs on our Christmas cards got there, and why they look as they do. Along the way he addresses some of the vital questions. Do angels have wings — and if so, how many? What are they made of — light, or compressed air? Are they above or below humans in the hierarchy of creation? Which is the friendliest archangel: Michael, Gabriel or Raphael? And how many can dance on the head of a pin?Presented by Sam Leith.

Fraser Nelson talks to Jacob Rees-Mogg about where the ERG went wrong, how to get away with never changing nappies how much religion impacts his politics - and much more. Recorded in front of a sell-out audience of 2,300

With Katy Balls and James Forsyth.Presented by Fraser Nelson.

An earlier version of this podcast had an audio problem that meant listeners were unable to hear it. This has now been fixed. Apologies for any inconvenience In this episode of Spectator Books, Sam talks to the American journalist David Wallace-Wells about his new book The Uninhabitable Earth: A Story of the Future. In it, he uses the best available scientific projections to underpin a picture of what the world would look like if it heats up by four degrees or more. Not pretty, is the conclusion he comes to. But what’s he trying to achieve with this book? Why, in his view, do we not take climate change seriously enough? And is this Project Fear — or Project Damn Well Pay Attention?

Katy Balls talks to Leader of the House of Commons, Andrea Leadsom, about her childhood ambitions to prevent nuclear war, giving birth the night before a selection meeting, and going head to head with John Bercow in the Commons.

This week, a new centrist party has finally been formed. So what does this mean for British politics (00:30)? Plus, we talk about the merits of artificial intelligence and ask, is it something to fear (21:55)? And last, do hen parties have to be so crass (32:15)?With Katy Balls, James Forsyth, Gavin Shuker MP, Joe Twyman, Chris Duffey, Jamie Bartlett, Sophia Money-Coutts and Dan Harley.Presented by Lara Prendergast.Produced by Cindy Yu and Siva Thaganrajah.