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Free ThinkingEpisodes

  1. 30/01/2026

    The ideas shaping our lives today - with artists and thinkers in debates and interviews.

  2. Double Lives

    From spying behind enemy lines in WWII France to lives lived online.

  3. Victorian Values

    Gisela Stuart, AN Wilson, Fern Riddell, Sarah Williams, Matthew Stallard and Matthew Sweet

  4. Innovation

    Matthew Sweet explores the cultures of novelty.

  5. Travel

    Travel past and present and broadening the mind? Travel journalists and historians debate.

  6. Idleness

    Is idleness ever a virtue? Matthew Sweet investigates.

  7. Influencing History

    Matthew Sweet and guests ask who makes history and debate arguments in the Reith lectures.

  8. Marriage

    Shahidha Bari is joined by guests including Prof Diarmaid MacCulloch and Zoe Strimpel.

  9. Rocks

    How can earth sciences like geology transform our understanding of history and society?

  10. Revenge and reconciliation

    In the week we mark the Armistice of World War I, Anne McElvoy and guests discuss revenge.

  11. The end of civilisations and societies

    Peter Hitchens, Rhiannon Firth, Neville Morley, Phil Tinline, Luke Kemp join Shahidha Bari

  12. Rational and Irrational decision making

    Anne McElvoy considers the value of irrationality with Lionel Barber and Bronwen Maddox.

  13. Traditions, roots and local pride

    Ex MP Penny Mordaunt's new book asks Why Britain's Traditions Matter. Matthew Sweet hosts

  14. The status of science

    Shahidha Bari and guests discuss the status of science in society and culture.

  15. What is a good life?

    Matthew Sweet and guests explore what it means to live a good life.

  16. Finding my tribe

    Anne McElvoy and guests discuss connections, divisions and creating new political parties.

  17. Friendship

    Matthew Sweet discusses the mythology, psychology and politics getting along with people.

  18. Censorship, editing and self-censorship

    Shahidha Bari's guests in a frank topical discussion include Rana Mitter and Nicola Wilson

  19. Christian faith, politics and culture

    Anne McElvoy explores the visibility of Catholic and Christian faith in politics & culture

  20. Language

    Matthew Sweet and guests explore the way language unites and divides us.

  21. Failure

    From business to sport, politics to the writing of Samuel Beckett: how do we view failure?

  22. Podcasting difficult histories

    Matthew Sweet discusses difficult histories with 3 BBC podcast hosts at the Hay Festival.

  23. Power: A User's Guide

    From the Hay Festival, Matthew Sweet discusses the many forms of political power.

  24. Wolves

    How wolves shape our world.

  25. Political Visions

    Anne McElvoy sets off in search of the sunlit uplands.

  26. Peace

    In the week of VE Day, Matthew Sweet discusses what peace has meant since 1945.

  27. Community

    Post local elections and pre VE day events, Shahidha Bari explores ideas about community

  28. Decadence and Declinism

    Matthew Sweet assesses the state of contemporary culture.

  29. The Middle Classes

    Muriel Zagha, Prof Sam Friedman, Lord Willetts, Lisa Holdsworth and Prof Melinda Mills.

  30. Isolation

    Matthew Sweet explores ideas about being on your own.

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