My favourite radio podcasts
This page is a list of the podcasts I regularly listen to. These ones come from the BBC and ABC Radio National. I hope to add more in the future and if you have any of your own favourites, please send in a comment.
All in the Mind is a programme about the mind, brain and behaviour. The show covers a wide variety of topics from dreaming to depression, addiction to artificial intelligence, consciousness to coma, psychoanalysis to psychopathy and free will to forgetting. Duration: 30 minutes. ABC Radio National
Analysis, which has been on air for thirty years, is a thought-provoking programme that looks at the ideas that change the world. There are 26 episodes a year, with each one focussing on a topic. Podcasts are available for a week after transmission while the programme is on air and there are also transcripts available. Duration: 30 minutes. BBC Radio 4
The Arts and Ideas podcast brings you the highlights from BBC Radio 3’s flagship discussion programme Night Waves. The features un-depth interviews debates and reviews from the world of arts. Duration; 40 minutes. BBC Radio 3.
The Bottom Line with Evan Davis
This business discussion programme chaired by Evan Davis, features three business leaders in a relaxed conversation exploring the world of business. There are 26 programmes a year. Duration: 30 minutes. BBC Radio 4.
By Design is a programme about how design shapes our world -from the cities and buildings we live in to the cars we drive and clothes we wear. The programme looks at both h architecture and material culture and how they affect our daily lives. Duration: 30 minutes. ABC Radio National
Counterpoint, a commentary program which examines a range of social, economic and cultural issues from a contrarian perspective, challenging many widely-held assumptions, and introducing some provocative commentators. Duration: 50 minutes. ABC Radio National
Three engaging international thinkers discuss and challenge big ideas. Duration 48 minutes. BBC World Service.
More or Less: Behind the Stats
More or Less tries to make sense of the numbers in the news. Tim “The Undercover Economist” Harford shows the reality behind statistics, measurements and quantification of every kind. Duration: 30 minutes. BBC Radio 4.
Analysis of the business world with Peter Day – featuring content from his Radio 4 show In Business programme, as well as Global Business from the BBC World Service. Duration; 30 minutes.
The Philosopher’s Zone is a guide to logic, metaphysics and ethics, examining our world through a philosophical prism. Duration: 30 minutes. ABC Radio National.
The irrepressible Andrew Marr’s Start The Week sets the cultural agenda for the week ahead, with high-profile guests, who I invariably find interesting. This is not a programme about current news but rather seeks to look at ideas in art, literature, film, science, history, society and politics. Duration; 30 minutes. BBC Radio 4.
Laurie Taylor, that rare breed a sociologist with a sense of humour, delves into the latest academic research into how society works and discusses current ideas and theories on how we live today. Duration; 30 minutes. BBC Radio 4.
