Best of the Spectator

<div>In this week’s Spectator Book Club, Sam's guest is Christopher Tugendhat, whose new book offers a refreshing and thought-provoking survey of twentieth-century history; not through wars and treaties and policies, but through the pages of the books from his extensive private library. In <em>A History of Britain Through Books: 1900-1964</em>, Christopher argues that we can get a special understanding the temper of a given time through the pivotal works of fiction and nonfiction that expressed it; books written without the historian's hindsight. Here’s a survey of familiar landmarks — as well as texts that have fallen into undeserving (and sometimes deserving) obscurity.<br><br>The Spectator Book Club, what used to be known as Spectator Books, is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented by Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor. Hear past episodes <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905582">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With James Morris, MD at PR firm Edelman and former Labour pollster, and James Forsyth.<br><br>Presented by Katy Balls.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With James Forsyth and Katy Balls.<br><br>Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905581">here</a> to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With Robert Colvile, Director of the Centre for Policy Studies, and James Forsyth.<br><br>Presented by Katy Balls.<br><br>Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905581">here</a> to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Nicky Morgan is the Secretary of State for Culture, and former Conservative MP for Loughborough. Despite her success in Boris Johnson's cabinet, she announced that she'd be standing down at this election. On the podcast, she talks about student politics in Oxford with Dan Hannan, filling in Michael Gove's shoes as Education Secretary under David Cameron, firing herself for Theresa May when the latter became Prime Minister.<br><br>Women With Balls is a podcast series where Katy Balls speak to women at the top of their respective games. To hear past episodes, visit <a href="http://spectator.co.uk/balls">spectator.co.uk/balls</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>America goes to the polls next year, but can any of the Democratic candidates take Trump out (00:45)? And with our own election coming up, what happens if you can no longer vote for the party you’ve always supported (13:15)? And last, happy 200th birthday to George Eliot – we find out about her unconventional life (28:05).<br><br>With Freddy Gray, Karine Jean-Pierre, Matthew Parris, Tanya Gold, and Kathy O'Shaughnessy.<br><br>Presented by Lara Prendergast.<br><br>Produced by Cindy Yu and Gus Carter.<br><br>The Edition is the new name for the Spectator Podcast, the Spectator's flagship podcast where we discuss some of our favourite features from the week's issue. To find previous episodes or just tune in to The Edition, click <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4973840">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Daniel Markovits is the Guido Calabresi Professor of Law at Yale Law School. In his new book <em>The Meritocracy Trap</em> Daniel advances an argument that will seem startling to partisans of Left and Right alike: that meritocracy isn’t the solution to our social and political discontents, but the central part of the problem. Our notion that hard work and proven ability should be the route to wealth and success has, he says, created a miserable underclass and a comparably miserable overclass — and is responsible for a damaging and eventually unsustainable reorganisation of Western economies. Among other sophisticated questions, Sam asks him: how so? And: aren’t you sounding a bit like a Marxist, there, Mr Yale Professor?<br><br>The Book Club, what used to be known as Spectator Books, is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented by Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor. Hear past episodes of The Book Club <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905582">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Fuchsia Dunlop is a writer and chef specialising in Chinese cuisine, especially that of Sichuan. She tells Lara and Livvy about the international lodgers who trained her adventurous palate growing up, why some Chinese foods can be so challenging for westerners (hint: it's the texture!), and the 23 different types of Sichuan spicy.<br><br>Table Talk is a series of podcasts where Lara Prendergast and Olivia Potts talk to celebrity guests about their life story, through the food and drink that has come to define it. Listen to past episodes <a href="https://audioboom.com/channels/4985181">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>In this episode, Spectator Books leaves its dank burrow and hits the road. Sam travelled to the southern Peloponnese to catch up with the Orange-prize winning novelist Madeline Miller, where she was hosting a reading weekend at the Costa Navarino resort. Madeline’s first novel, <em>The Song of Achilles</em>, retold the Iliad from Patroclus’s point of view. Her second, <em>Circe</em>, takes on the great sorceress of the Odyssey. She talked about how — as a classicist as well as a novelist — she approached reworking these canonical stories; about taking liberties with Circe; and about how the 'rape culture' of Ancient Greece speaks to us in the age of #metoo.<br><br>Spectator Books is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented by Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor. Hear past episodes of Spectator Books <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905582">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With Mark D'Arcy, the BBC's Today in Parliament correspondent, and Bobby Friedman, John Bercow's biographer.<br><br>Presented by Katy Balls.<br><br>Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905581">here</a> to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With Dominic Green, Life and Arts editor of Spectator USA.<br><br>Americano is a series of in-depth discussions on American politics with the best pundits stateside. Presented by Freddy Gray, editor of Spectator USA. Click <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/americano">here</a> to listen to previous episodes.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>This week, an election has officially been called – so what do the major parties need to do to win (00:55)? Plus, Trump goes back into Syria – we look at how pressures back home are shaping up his foreign policy (16:15). And last: does this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Iwfu1sMqhCA">video</a> give you the shivers (28:00)?<br><br>With Stephen Bush, Will Tanner, Sir Christopher Meyer, Sarah Elliott, Mary Wakefield and Dr Giulia Poerio.<br><br>Presented by Lara Prendergast and Katy Balls.<br><br>Produced by Cindy Yu.<br><br>With special thanks to ASMRtists <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=Iwfu1sMqhCA">WhisperRed</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieM8JkJGT8I">SAS-ASMR</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>In this week’s Spectator Books, Sam talks to the award-winning historian Thomas Penn about his new book <em>The Brothers York: An English Tragedy — </em>in which he argues that the 'Wars of the Roses' weren’t determined by a struggle between the houses of York and Lancaster so much as by the catastrophic white-on-white conflict that cause the House of York to implode. He tells the story of three brothers — Edward IV; George, Duke of Clarence; and Richard III — and their extraordinary and ultimately disastrous relationship. How did Tudor history — including, of course, Shakespeare — distort the real story of those years? Who really drowned the Duke of Clarence in that butt of wine? And did anyone, like Sam, have their sense of this vital period in history shaped by, er, playing the board game <em>Kingmaker</em>?<br><br>Spectator Books is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented by Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor. Hear past episodes of Spectator Books <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905582">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>From outrage mobs to public shaming, our politics have never been angrier. But what's driving this new culture war - and how can we end the hysteria?<br><br></div><div><em>The Spectator</em>'s Douglas Murray and Lionel Shriver spoke in front of a live audience in Westminster this week. Tune in for an enlightening discussion. See our other events at <a href="http://spectator.co.uk/events">spectator.co.uk/events</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With James Forsyth and Katy Balls, presented by Fraser Nelson.<br><br>Join Fraser, James, Katy, Liam Halligan and Sam Gyimah for Coffee House Live at the Emmanuel Centre in Westminster on 12 November. Visit <a href="http://spectator.co.uk/liveshots">spectator.co.uk/liveshots</a> for details.<br><br>Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905581">here</a> to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With Isabel Oakeshott, journalist and commentator, and Katy Balls.<br><br>Presented by Cindy Yu.<br><br>Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905581">here</a> to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Katharine is the headmistress of Michaela Community School, dubbed by some as 'Britain's strictest school'. She talks to Katy about why she regrets speaking at Conservative Party Conference, her school's 'tiger teacher' philosophy, and why she would ban smartphones for everyone under the age of 18.<br><br>Women With Balls is a podcast series where Katy Balls speak to women at the top of their respective games. To hear past episodes, visit <a href="http://spectator.co.uk/balls">spectator.co.uk/balls</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>This week, the government looks close to the finishing line – now all Boris needs is an election (00:40). And as months of grenade attacks blight Swedish neighbourhoods, we get to the bottom of why Sweden doesn’t want to talk about its rise in violent crime (17:40). And last, is there really a right way to speak English (27:30)?<br><br>With James Forsyth, James Mills, Paulina Neuding, Amir Rostami, Mark Mason, and Sam Leith.<br><br>Presented by Lara Prendergast and Katy Balls.<br><br>Produced by Cindy Yu and Christy Cooney.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div><em>The Spectator </em>was delighted to host Charles Moore, author of an acclaimed three-part biography of the former prime minister, and John Humphrys, former presenter of <em>Today</em>, for a special conversation on recent history. They talk about politics from the fall of Margaret Thatcher to the Brexit era, the BBC's bias (or lack thereof), and much much more.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Alexandra Shulman is the former Editor-In-Chief of British Vogue. On the podcast, she talks to Olivia and Lara about her mother Drusilla Beyfus's etiquette tips, wining and dining as a journalist in the 80s, and how doughnuts never lasted long at Vogue.<br><br>Table Talk is a series of podcasts where Lara Prendergast and Olivia Potts talk to celebrity guests about their life story, through the food and drink that has come to define it. Listen to past episodes <a href="https://audioboom.com/channels/4985181">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With Andrew Bacevich, President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft.<br><br>Americano is a series of in-depth discussions on American politics with the best pundits stateside. Presented by Freddy Gray, editor of Spectator USA. Click <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/americano">here</a> to listen to previous episodes.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With Kate Hoey MP and Eamonn Butler, Director of the Adam Smith Institute.<br><br>Presented by Fraser Nelson.<br><br>Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905581">here</a> to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>This week, Boris Johnson agrees a Brexit deal – but can he get it through parliament (00:40)? Plus, who are the biggest beneficiaries from the Turkish incursion into Syria (22:25)? We look at how Russia is consolidating its influence in the Middle East.<br><br>With Paul Mason, James Johnson, Paul Wood, and Tracey German.<br><br>Presented by Katy Balls and Cindy Yu.<br><br>Produced by Cindy Yu.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Sam's guest in this week’s Spectator Books is Peter Pomerantsev. Peter lived in Moscow for a decade as a TV producer, and chronicled the metastasis in that country of 'post-truth politics' in his bestselling <em>Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible.</em> His fascinating and dismaying new book, <em>This Is Not Propaganda: Adventures in the War Against Reality</em>, describes how Russia’s surreal new information politics turned out not to be a weird exception, but the harbinger of a worldwide phenomenon. In this new book, part travelogue, part reportage, part memoir, he travels from the Philippines to Ukraine, from Mexico to Beijing, to investigate how the internet — which we once thought would be the great political disinfectant — has been weaponised by criminal regimes worldwide.<br><br>Spectator Books is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented by Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor. Hear past episodes of Spectator Books <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905582">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With Katy Balls and James Forsyth.<br><br>Presented by Cindy Yu.<br><br>Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905581">here</a> to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With Melissa Chen, Spectator USA's New York Editor.<br><br>Americano is a series of in-depth discussions on American politics with the best pundits stateside. Presented by Freddy Gray, editor of Spectator USA. Click <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/americano">here</a> to listen to previous episodes.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With Sienna Rodgers, Editor of LabourList, and Katy Balls.<br><br>Presented by John Connolly.<br><br>Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905581">here</a> to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Lynn Barber is an award-winning journalist known for her incisive interviews and her best-selling books <em>An Education</em> and <em>How to Improve Your Man in Bed</em>. On this episode, she talks to Katy about her lifetime of interviewing the great and the good, from Salvador Dali to Katie Price; the death threats she received from Rafa Nadal's fans; and her favourite (and least favourite) BBC journalists.<br><br>Women With Balls is a podcast series where Katy Balls speak to women at the top of their respective games. To hear past episodes, visit <a href="http://spectator.co.uk/balls">spectator.co.uk/balls</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>As the clock ticks down to the European Council, can Boris get a last minute deal with the EU (00:35)? Plus, is Extinction Rebellion just the latest iteration of millenarianism (18:25)? And last, what’s the right way to shoot a pheasant (33:35)?<br><br>With James Forsyth, Peter Foster, Toby Young, Will Skeaping, Patrick Galbraith and Charlie Jacoby.<br><br>Presented by Lara Prendergast and Katy Balls.<br><br>Produced by Cindy Yu.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>In this week’s Spectator Books podcast Sam's guest is Jung Chang — whose latest book is the gripping story of three sisters whose political differences put the Mitford even the Johnson clans in perspective. In <em>Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister, </em>Jung narrates the lives of the Soong Girls — one of whom was married to Chiang Kai-shek, another of whom became one of the richest women in the world and helped run Chiang’s government; and the other one of whom (the widow of the founding father of modern China, Sun Yatsen) threw her lot in with Chiang’s deadly enemy and eventual usurper, Mao Zedong. Every family has its little ups and downs! In the episode, Jung describes how — amazingly — the three sisters never stopped being close; the role they took in China’s turbulent 20th century; and the human story behind it. Including the birthday present that showed Chiang Kai-Shek’s romantic side…<br><br>Spectator Books is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented by Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor. Hear past episodes of Spectator Books <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905582">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Isabel Vincent is an author and Canadian investigative journalist for the New York Post. Her book, 'Dinner with Edward', charts the unlikely friendship she struck up with her recently widowed ninety-something neighbour. Theirs is a friendship struck through mutual grief (Vincent's own marriage was breaking down at the time) and good food. The film adaption, starring David Souchet, is under production.<br><br>Table Talk is a series of podcasts where Lara Prendergast and Olivia Potts talk to celebrity guests about their life story, through the food and drink that has come to define it. Listen to past episodes <a href="https://audioboom.com/channels/4985181">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With Katy Balls and James Forsyth.<br><br>Presented by Fraser Nelson.<br><br>Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905581">here</a> to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>In this week's episode of Holy Smoke Damian is joined by Jamie Bartlett, one of the world’s leading experts on the dark web, radical politics and technology, whose <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07nkd84/episodes/downloads">gripping podcast series</a> The Missing Cryptoqueen is currently being broadcast by the BBC. It tells the story of a shady Bulgarian tech entrepreneur, Dr Ruja Ignatova, who vanished just as her dodgy cryptocurrency OneCoin was raking in billions of euros from investors – or true believers – all over the world.<br><br></div><div>Despite her disappearance, it still has footholds in African villages, the Chinese business community, Scottish housing estates and Britain’s Muslims – it claims to be Sharia-compliant. Not only does Dr Ruja's operation resemble a religious cult, it also gives us a glimpse of how technology and belief are combining in ever stranger patterns, often inspired by the utopians of Silicon Valley,<br><br>Holy Smoke is a series of podcasts where Damian Thompson dissects the most important and controversial topics in world religion, with a range of high profile guests. Click <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/holy-smoke">here</a> to find previous episodes.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With Pat Leahy, Political Editor of the Irish Times, and James Forsyth.<br><br>Presented by Fraser Nelson.<br><br>Coffee House Shots is a series of podcasts on British politics from the Spectator's political team and special guests. Brought to you daily, click <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905581">here</a> to find more episodes that are not released on Spectator Radio.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With Daniel McCarthy, Contributing Editor of Spectator USA and Editor of Modern Age.<br><br>Americano is a series of in-depth discussions on American politics with the best pundits stateside. Presented by Freddy Gray, editor of Spectator USA. Click <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/americano">here</a> to listen to previous episodes.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>As the debate about violent language in Westminster rumbles on, have MPs accidentally stumbled on to something? In this week’s episode, we take a look at what’s happened to civilised debate with people you disagree with (00:45). Plus, could Boris Johnson request an extension and still win a general election (17:00)? And last, is recycling all it’s made out to be (31:25)?<br><br>With Douglas Murray, Sam Leith, James Forsyth, Ben Page, Laurie Graham and Julian Kirby.<br><br>Presented by Lara Prendergast and Katy Balls.<br><br>Produced by Cindy Yu and Matt Lee.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Sam's guest in this week’s books podcast is Benjamin Moser, author of an acclaimed new biography of one of America’s most celebrated (and controversial) intellectuals of the twentieth century: <em>Sontag: Her Lif</em>e.<br><br></div><div>Sam asked Benjamin how he sorted fact from myth, about tracking down the inventor of that haircut, and about Annie Leibovitz’s take on their stormy love affair. Why could someone as brave as Sontag never come out? Did she have a sense of humour? And what of her will last?<br><br>Spectator Books is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented by Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor. Hear past episodes of Spectator Books <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905582">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With former Justice Secretary David Gauke, Director of CER Charles Grant, James Forsyth, Katy Balls and Fraser Nelson.<br><br>Please accept our apologies for the low volume of this podcast, due to the venue's AV team.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Is plastic the enemy? To watch Blue Planet and listen to Greta Thunberg, you might think so. But there are some things that plastic simply does better than the alternatives, which are not necessarily more eco-friendly in any case. So should we be looking for a better way to use the material, rather than to get rid of it altogether? To this end, we've brought together a few people who might know what they're talking about - Julie Hill, Chair of the charity, Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), Michelle Norman, Director of Sustainability at Lucozade Ribena Suntory, and Kate Geraghty, Director of Sustainability at Dow - to see what the future for plastic usage might look like.<br><br>Presented by Fraser Nelson.<br><br>Sponsored by Dow.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Liz Truss is the Secretary of State for International Trade and holds the Women and Equalities brief. In this special edition of Women With Balls for Conservative party conference, she talks about why Boris picked her for the job (having heard her speech about cheese exports), the limitation to trans rights, and how punchy language is all just a part of politics.<br><br>Women With Balls is a podcast series where Katy Balls speak to women at the top of their respective games. To hear past episodes, visit <a href="http://spectator.co.uk/balls">spectator.co.uk/balls</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Margaret Hodge is the Labour MP for Barking and Dagenham, and well-known for her role as former head of the Public Accounts Committee, in which she scrutinised senior civil servants and politicians alike. She has also been one of the most vocal critics of Labour's anti-Semitism problem. On the podcast, she tells Katy about how boarding school made her rebellious, her remorse for supporting Tony Blair on Iraq, and what fighting the BNP on her own turf taught her about racism.<br><br>Women With Balls is a podcast series where Katy Balls speak to women at the top of their respective games. To hear past episodes, visit <a href="http://spectator.co.uk/balls">spectator.co.uk/balls</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>This week, as Boris Johnson is hauled back into parliament, we ask – is Brexit ever going to happen (00:40)? Plus, what should London do about Riyadh (14:10)? And finally, we take a sneak peek into the angry world of knitting (24:15).<br><br>With Rod Liddle, Anand Menon, Sir John Jenkins, Madawi Al-Rasheed, Isabel Hardman and Bonnie Greer.<br><br>Presented by Lara Prendergast.<br><br>Produced by Cindy Yu and Matt Lee.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>This week’s podcast features the Israeli writer Etgar Keret, talking about his new collection of short stories <em>Fly Already</em>. Topics on the agenda: how an Israel writer can address the Holocaust, why one of Etgar’s stories caused a dear friend of his to have to change his name, whether writing stories is a useful thing to do, whether smoking dope is a help or a hindrance to creativity, and why — alas — Brits so far don’t seem to 'get' Etgar’s sense of humour.<br><br>Spectator Books is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented by Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor. Hear past episodes of Spectator Books <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905582">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Jessie Burton is the bestselling author of <em>The Miniaturist</em> and <em>The Muse</em>. In this episode of Table Talk, she tells Lara and Livvy about growing up with her dad's packed lunches, the diet of a budding actress, and her dislike for marzipan (despite <em>The Miniaturist</em>!). Jessie's new book, <em>The Confession</em>, is out now.<br><br>Table Talk is a series of podcasts where Lara Prendergast and Olivia Potts talk to celebrity guests about their life story, through the food and drink that has come to define it. Listen to past episodes <a href="https://audioboom.com/channels/4985181">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Martin Vander Weyer, our Business Editor, speaks to three leading businesspeople for Scotland and Northern Ireland about the Economic Disruptor finalists in this region. Tune in to find out more about underwater wifi, a digital 3D map of the entire world, and more.<br><br>---<br><br>Human progress has depended on economic disruptors since long before the advent of the internet. Motor cars remained rare luxuries until a disruptor called Henry Ford perfected the Model T assembly line. Today’s online auction, home-stay, ride-share and crowdfunding sites have generated markets and money flows that barely existed before, to the great benefit of providers and consumers. Today’s manufacturing methods — from 3D printing to advanced bioscience — have dramatically reduced the time and capital required to produce vital products.</div><div><br></div><div>So, who are the companies that are rewriting the rules in 2019? Following the success of last year's inaugural Economic Disruptor of the Year Awards, <em>The Spectator</em> and Julius Baer has come together <a href="https://www.spectator.co.uk/disruptor/">again</a> to celebrate creative entrepreneurship across the UK. </div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Comedian Simon Evans joins journalist Benedict Spence and comedy club founder Andy Shaw on a new podcast from Spectator Life. 'That's Life' is a sideways look at the events, people, words and ideas that shape the news agenda. Andy and Benedict talk to Simon about cancel culture, Boris’s hospital debacle and why Guy Verhofstadt is his unlikely hero (or villain) of the week.</div><div><br></div><div>Simon has performed stand-up comedy at Live at the Apollo and the Edinburgh Fringe. He also hosts and writes Radio 4’s Simon Evans goes to Market. As well as writing for Spectator Life, Andy is the co-founder of London's free-thinking comedy club Comedy Unleashed. Benedict is a regular contributor for Spectator Life, Sky News and The Telegraph.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>With John Rick MacArthur, president of Harpers Magazine.<br><br>Americano is a series of in-depth discussions on American politics with the best pundits stateside. Presented by Freddy Gray, editor of Spectator USA. Click <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/americano">here</a> to listen to previous episodes.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Damian talks to Jewish pianist Ariel Lanyi about the cruel cat-and-mouse game that the Soviet Union played with Jewish classical musicians at a time when it was sneakily trying to extinguish both their religion and their ethnic identity.<br><br>Holy Smoke is a series of podcasts where Damian Thompson dissects the most important and controversial topics in world religion, with a range of high profile guests. Click <a href="https://audioboom.com/channel/holy-smoke">here</a> to find previous episodes.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>As the Supreme Court wraps up its trial into prorogation, we ask – are the courts overreaching (00:25)? We also find out about the prevalence of mental illness in the homeless and the rough sleeping (10:20). And last, Mary Killen tells us why she’s no longer a Remainer (20:45).<br><br>With Richard Ekins, Jack Simson Caird, Mary Wakefield, Dominic Williamson, Mary Killen, and Rachel Johnson.<br><br>Presented by Lara Prendergast.<br><br>Produced by Cindy Yu and Adam Cherry.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

<div>Sam's guest in this week’s podcast is the Turkish novelist Elif Shafak, whose latest novel <em>10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World </em>has just been shortlisted alongside Salman Rushdie and Margaret Atwood for this year’s Man Booker Prize. Elif talks to Sam about living in exile, writing in a second language, her relationship with Istanbul, and how the West’s culture war over 'free speech' looks to someone from a country where free speech can get you thrown in jail or worse.<br><br>Spectator Books is a series of literary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented by Sam Leith, The Spectator's Literary Editor. Hear past episodes of Spectator Books <a href="https://audioboom.com/dashboard/4905582">here</a>.</div> <hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>