Arts & Ideas Podcast
Leading thinkers discuss the ideas shaping our lives – looking back at the news and making links between past and present. Broadcast as Free Thinking, Fridays at 9pm on BBC Radio 4. Presented by Matthew Sweet, Shahidha Bari and Anne McElvoy.
Episodes to download
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Travel
Last Friday
Travel past and present and broadening the mind? Travel journalists and historians debate
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Influencing History
Fri 5 Dec 2025
Matthew Sweet and guests ask who makes history and debate arguments in the Reith lectures
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Marriage
Fri 28 Nov 2025
Shahidha Bari joined by guests including Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch and Zoe Strimpel
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Rocks
Fri 21 Nov 2025
How can earth sciences like geology transform our understanding of history and society?
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Revenge and reconciliation
Fri 14 Nov 2025
In the week we mark the Armistice of World War I, Anne McElvoy and guests discuss revenge
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The end of civilisations and societies
Fri 7 Nov 2025
Peter Hitchens, Rhiannon Firth, Neville Morley, Phil Tinline, Luke Kemp join Shahidha Bari
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Rational and Irrational decision making
Fri 24 Oct 2025
Anne McElvoy considers the value of irrationality with Lionel Barber and Bronwen Maddox.
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Traditions, roots and local pride
Fri 17 Oct 2025
Ex MP Penny Mordaunt's new book asks Why Britain's Traditions Matter. Matthew Sweet hosts
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The status of Science
Fri 10 Oct 2025
Shahidha Bari and guests discuss the status of science in society and culture
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The Good Life
Fri 3 Oct 2025
Michael Rosen,Fergus Butler-Gallie Sophie Scott-Brown, Rachel Wiseman, Sudhir Hazareesingh
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Finding my tribe
Fri 26 Sep 2025
Anne McElvoy and guests discuss connections, divisions and creating new political parties
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Friendship
Fri 11 Jul 2025
Matthew Sweet discusses the mythology, psychology and politics getting along with people
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Censorship, editing and self-censorship
Fri 4 Jul 2025
Shahidha Bari's guests in frank topical discussion include Rana Mitter and Nicola Wilson
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Christian faith, politics and culture
Fri 27 Jun 2025
Anne McElvoy explores the visibility of Catholic & Christian faith in politics & culture
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Failure
Fri 13 Jun 2025
From business to sport, politics to the writing of Samuel Beckett: how do we view failure
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Podcasting difficult histories
Fri 6 Jun 2025
Matthew Sweet discusses difficult histories with 3 BBC podcast hosts at the Hay Festival
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Common Sense
Wed 4 Jun 2025
Ann Widdecombe, Rachael Wiseman, Sarah Jilani and Tiffany Watt Smith with Matthew Sweet
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Power: A User's Guide
Wed 4 Jun 2025
From the Hay Festival, Matthew Sweet discusses the many forms of political power
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Community
Fri 2 May 2025
Post local elections and pre VE day events, Shahidha Bari explores ideas about community
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The Middle Classes
Fri 28 Mar 2025
Muriel Zagha, Prof. Sam Friedman, Lord Willetts, Lisa Holdsworth & Prof. Melinda Mills
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Evidence
Fri 14 Mar 2025
Lord Sumption, Danny Robins, Dr Sarah Dillon Dr Jonathan Egid and Dr Anthony Milligan
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Uncertainty
Fri 7 Mar 2025
Chris Lintott, Margaret Heffernan, Liam Halligan, Tim Garton Ash, Victoria Donovan
