That's Life

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Comedian Andy Shaw and political commentator Benedict Spence bring a sideways look at the events, people, words and ideas that shape the news agenda. A podcast from Spectator Life.

That's Life!


    • May 30, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 30m AVG DURATION
    • 99 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from That's Life

    Arabella Byrne, Sean Thomas, Mathew Lyons, Bryan Appleyard & Chas Newkey-Burden

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2025 28:07


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Arabella Byrne on the social minefield of private swimming pools (1:13); Sean Thomas says that not knowing where you are is one of the joys of travel (5:34); reviewing Helen Carr's Sceptred Isle: A New History of the 14th Century, Mathew Lyons looks at the reality of a vivid century (11:34); reviewing Tim Gregory's Going Nuclear: How the Atom Will Save the World, Bryan Appleyard analyses the three parties debating global warming (16:07); and, Chas Newkey-Burden looks back to the 1980s nuclear drama that paralysed his childhood, Threads (20:42). Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    James Heale, Angus Colwell, Alice Loxton, Lloyd Evans, Richard Bratby, Christopher Howse and Catriona Olding

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2025 37:41


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: James Heale analyses the splits in Labour over direction and policy (1:27); Angus Colwell asks if the ‘lanyard class' are the new enemy (6:21); Alice Loxton explains why bize-sized histories have big appeal (9:58); Lloyd Evans reports on how Butlin's is cashing in on nostalgia (15:00); Richard Bratby on Retrospect Opera, the non-profit record label that resurrects the forgotten works of British opera (20:40); Christopher Howse provides his notes of typos (27:27); and, Catriona Olding reflects on the death of her partner, the Spectator's Jeremy Clarke, two years ago this week (32:15). Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Low Life: The Spectator columns of Jeremy Clarke

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 28:14


    To mark the second anniversary of the death of Jeremy Clarke – one of the Spectator's most loved writers – we've compiled some of his Low Life columns, as read by Jeremy in 2016, for this special episode of Spectator Out Loud.Included in this compilation are: New Man (00:42); Virgin (5:16); Debauchery Competition (9:32); Buddhism (14:12); The Beach (18:58); and, Memory (23:40).Read by Jeremy Clarke, with an introduction from William Moore. Produced by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Michael Gove, Max Jeffery, Paul Wood, Susannah Jowitt and Leyla Sanai

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2025 37:26


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Michael Gove interviews Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood (1:17; Max Jeffery shadows the police as they search for the parents of three abandoned babies (14:41); Paul Wood asks if this is really the end of the PKK, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (20:57); Susannah Jowitt reports that death has come to the Chelsea Flower Show (28:55); and, Leyla Sanai reviews Graham Swift's new anthology of short stories, Twelve Post-War Tales (34:23).Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Olenka Hamilton, Melanie McDonagh, Hannah Moore, James Delingpole and William Atkinson

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 30:24


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Olenka Hamilton ponders whether Poland's revival is a mirage (1:24); Melanie McDonagh asks who killed the postal service (9:52); Hannah Moore argues that family cars aren't built for families any more (14:35); James Delingpole reviews Careme from Apple TV and Chef's Table from Netflix (21:15); and, William Atkinson provides his notes on Thomas the Tank Engine (26:48).  Presented by Patrick Gibbons. Produced by Oscar Edmondson and Patrick Gibbons.

    Ian Williams, Philip Patrick, Guy Stagg, Ysenda Maxtone Graham, Mark Mason and Catriona Olding

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 36:50


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Ian Williams looks at Chinese influence in the UK (1:39); Philip Patrick interviews Japan's last ninja (9:35); Guy Stagg reviews Damian Le Bas and explores the myths behind the city of Atlantis (18:23); Ysenda Maxtone Graham reviews an exhibition on school dinners at the Food Museum in Stowmarket (23:38); Mark Mason provides his notes on quizzes, ahead of the Spectator's garden quiz (28:00); and, swapping Provence to visit family in America, Catriona Olding takes us on a trip up the east coast (31:27).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    america uk japan chinese atlantis provence spectators ian williams mark mason stowmarket damian le bas ysenda maxtone graham guy stagg
    Owen Matthews, Matthew Parris, Marcus Nevitt, Angus Colwell and Sean Thomas

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 30:46


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Owen Matthews reads his letter from Rome (1:21); Matthew Parris travels the Channel Islands (7:53); Reviewing Minoo Dinshaw, Marcus Nevitt looks at Bulstrode Whitelocke and Edward Hyde, once close colleagues who fell out during the English civil war (15:19); Angus Colwell discusses his Marco Pierre White obsession, aided by the chef himself (21:26); and, Sean Thomas provides his notes on boredom (26:28).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Paul Wood, Katy Balls, Olivia Potts, Benedict Allen, Cosmo Landesman and Aidan Hartley

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 40:06


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Would Trump really bomb Iran, asks Paul Wood (1:38); Katy Balls interviews Health Secretary Wes Streeting on NHS reform, Blairism and Game of Thrones (8:38); Olivia Potts examines the history – and decline – of the Easter staple, roast lamb (18:25); the explorer Benedict Allen says Erling Kagge and Neil Shubin were both dicing with death, as he reviews both their books on exploration to earth's poles (22:13); Cosmo Landesman reflects on what turning 70 has meant for his sex life (28:46); and, Aidan Hartley takes us on an anthropomorphic journey across Africa (33:55).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Petroc Trelawny, Gareth Roberts, Tom Lee, Leyla Sanai and Iram Ramzan

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 28:07


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Petroc Trelawny reads his diary for the week (1:14); Gareth Roberts wants us to make book jackets nasty again (6:22); Tom Lee writes in defence of benzodiazepines (13:44); Leyla Sanai reflects on unethical practices within psychiatry, as she reviews Jon Stock's The Sleep Room (19:41); and, Iram Ramzan provides her notes on cousin marriages (24:30).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Gavin Mortimer, Colin Freeman, Lawrence Osborne, Lionel Shriver and Anthony Cummins

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 34:10


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Gavin Mortimer looks at how the French right can still win (1:48); Colin Freeman interviews Americans who have fought in Ukraine and feel betrayed by Trump (11:01); Lawrence Osborne details his experience of last week's earthquake, as he reads his diary from Bangkok (18:38); Lionel Shriver defends traditional, monogamous marriage (24:07); and, Anthony Cummins examines media satire and settled scores as he reviews Natasha Brown's Universality (31:13).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Owen Matthews, James Heale, Francis Pike, Christian House and Mark Mason

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 32:06


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Owen Matthews argues that Turkish President Erdogan's position is starting to look shaky (1:19); James Heale examines the new party of the posh: the Lib Dems (7:51); Francis Pike highlights the danger Chinese hypersonic missiles pose to the US navy (13:54); Christian House highlights Norway's occupation during the Second World War, as he reviews Robert Ferguson's book Norway's War (22:01); and, Mark Mason provides his notes on coins (28:18).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Henry Jeffreys, Marcus Walker, Angus Colwell, Nicolas Farrell and Rory Sutherland

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 28:28


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Henry Jeffreys looks at the potential impact of Trump's tariffs on British drinkers (1:31); on the 400th anniversary of Charles I's accession to the throne, Marcus Walker explains what modern Britain could learn from the cavalier monarch (7:10); Angus Colwell provides his notes on beef dripping (13:55); Nicolas Farrell reveals he refused to accept the local equivalent of an Oscar (16:40); and, Rory Sutherland makes the case for linking VAT to happiness… with 0% going to pubs, Indian restaurants and cheddar cheese (24:08).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Colin Freeman, Harry Ritchie, Max Jeffery, Michael Gove and Catriona Olding

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2025 34:54


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Colin Freeman explains how Islamic State tightened its grip on the Congo (1:23); Harry Ritchie draws attention to the thousands of languages facing extinction this century, as he reviews Rare Tongues: The Secret Stories of Hidden Languages by Lorna Gibb (8:00); Max Jeffery highlights the boxing academy changing young lives (13:20); Michael Gove reflects on lessons learned during his time as education secretary (20:30); and, Catriona Olding introduces the characters from her new Provence-based memoir club (29:27).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Harry Cole, Zoe Strimpel, Michael Simmons, Nigel Warburton and Justin Marozzi

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2025 29:15


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Having returned from Washington D.C., Harry Cole reads his diary for the week (1:16); Zoe Strimpel reports on the Gen Z fliers obsessed with maximalising their air miles (5:37); Michael Simmons argues that Scotland is the worst when it comes to government waste (12:00); reviewing Quentin Skinner's Liberty as Independence, Nigel Warburton examines what it means to be free (17:45); and, Justin Marozzi provides his notes on possum (25:02).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Paul Wood, Matthew Parris, Ian Buruma, Hermione Eyre and Francis Young

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2025 33:19


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Paul Wood reads his letter from the Vatican (1:17); Matthew Parris warns Conservatives from embracing causes that could lose them as much support as they would gain (7:31); reviewing Richard Overy's Rain of Ruin: Tokyo, Hiroshima and the Surrender of Japan, Ian Buruma argues that the atomic bombs were not only immoral, but ineffective (15:35); Hermione Eyre examines the life and work of the surrealist artist Ithell Colquhoun (23:03); and, Francis Young provides his notes on Shrove Tuesday (29:12).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Hugh Schofield, Igor Toronyi-Lalic & Michael Simmons, Lisa Haseldine, Alice Loxton and Aidan Hartley

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 36:57


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Hugh Schofield asks why there is no campaign to free the novelist Boualem Sansal (1:26); The Spectator's arts editor, Igor Toronyi-Lalic, reacts to the magazine's campaign against frivolous funding and, continuing the campaign, Michael Simmons wonders if Britain is funding organisations that wish us harm (8:00); Lisa Haseldine reflects on whether the AfD's rise could mean ‘Weimar 2.0' for Germany (17:08); reviewing Thou Savage Woman: Female Killers in Early Modern Britain, by Blessin Adams, Alice Loxton explores the gruesome ways in which women killed (25:05); and, from Kenya, Aidan Hartley reflects on how a secret half-brother impacted his relationship with his father (35:13).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    James Heale, Andrew Kenny, Lara Prendergast, Ysenda Maxtone Graham and Nina Power

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2025 40:40


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: James Heale wonders what Margaret Thatcher would make of today's Conservatives (1:28); Andrew Kenny analyses South Africa's expropriation act (6:13); Lara Prendergast explores the mystery behind The Spectator's man in the Middle East, John R Bradley (13:55); Ysenda Maxtone Graham looks at how radio invaded the home (30:13); and, Nina Power reviews two exhibitions looking at different kinds of rage (35:13).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Katy Balls, Alexander Raubo, Damian Thompson, Daisy Dunn and Mark Mason

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 26:22


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Katy Balls analyses the threat Reform pose to the Conservatives (1:20); Alexander Raubo talks us through the MAGA social scene and the art collective Remilia (6:42); Damian Thompson reviews Vatican Spies: from the Second World War to Pope Francis, by Yvonnick Denoel (12:27); Daisy Dunn reviews the new podcast Intoxicating History from Henry Jeffreys and Tom Parker Bowles, as well as BBC Radio 4's Moving Pictures (17:50); and, Mark Mason provides his notes on obituaries (22:46).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. 

    Loyd Grossman, Tanya Gold, Harry Halem, Angus Colwell, Philippe Sands and Michael Simmons

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2025 44:53


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Loyd Grossman pleads to save Britain's cathedrals, as he reads his diary for the week (1:31); Unity Mitford is a classic case of aristocratic anti-Semitism says Tanya Gold (7:47); looking ahead to another Strategic Defence Review, Harry Halem warns that Britain is far from prepared for the era of AI warfare (12:42); 'the worst echo chamber is your own mind': Angus Colwell interviews philosopher Agnes Callard (24:24); reviewing Prosecuting the Powerful: War Crimes and the Battle for Justice, by Steve Crawshaw, Philippe Sands argues that while the international criminal justice system was prejudiced from the start the idea was right (31:01); and, Michael Simmons contradicts the Pope and declares that gossip is good for you (41:21).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons. 

    Freddy Gray, Tanya Gold, Rose George, Toby Young and Rory Sutherland

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 27:46


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Freddy Gray reads his letter from Washington D.C., and reveals what Liz Truss, Eric Zemmour and Steve Bannon made of Trump's inauguration (1:22); Tanya Gold writes about the sad truth behind the gypsies facing eviction in Cornwall (7:15); Rose George reviews The Forgotten Sense: The New Science of Smell, by Jonas Olofsson, and explains the surprising link between odour disgust and political attitudes (13:07); Toby Young provides his favourite anecdotes about President Trump, having crossed paths with him in New York City in the 1990s (18:39); and, Rory Sutherland proposes a unique way to solve Britain's building crisis: ‘Areas of Outstanding Natural Ugliness' (23:40).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Michael Gove, Mary Wakefield, Mitchell Reiss, Max Jeffery and Nicholas Farrell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 31:46


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Michael Gove offers up some advice to Keir Starmer (1:33); Mary Wakefield examines the rise of the ‘divorce party' (7:28); Mitchell Reiss looks at the promise and peril of AI as he reviews Genesis: Artificial Intelligence, Hope and the Human Spirit, a collaboration between the former CEO of Google Eric Schmidt, the former chief research and strategy officer at Microsoft Craig Mundie, and the late US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger (13:52); Max Jeffery listens to The Armie HammerTime Podcast as the actor attempts to reverse his spectacular downfall (20:45); and, Nicholas Farrell reveals the time he got drunk with the ghost of Mussolini (25:24).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Catherine Lafferty, Michael Simmons, Paul Wood, Philip Hensher, Isabel Hardman and Damian Thompson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2025 38:57


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Catherine Lafferty argues that the drive to reduce teenage pregnancies enabled grooming gangs (1:27); following Luke Littler's world championship victory, Michael Simmons says that Gen Z is ruining darts (6:32); Paul Wood looks at the return of Isis, and America's unlikely ally in its fight against the terrorist group (10:35); Philip Hensher reviews a new biography of the Brothers Grimm by Ann Schmiesing, and looks at how words can be as dangerous as war (17:57); Isabel Hardman highlights the new garden now open at the Natural History Museum (26:57); and, Damian Thompson reveals he watched videos of plane crashes to distract himself from the US election coverage – why? (31:40).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    James MacMillan, Sebastian Morello, Amy Wilentz, Sam Leith and Lloyd Evans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2025 31:41


    This week: composer James MacMillan reads his diary on the beautiful music of football (01:11); Sebastian Morello tells us about the deep connection between hunting and Christianity (07:17); Amy Wilentz explains how Vodou fuels Haiti's gang culture (16:14); The Spectator's literary editor Sam Leith reviews The Virago Book of Friendship (22:38); and – from the arts pages – The Spectator's theatre critic Lloyd Evans writes about a new play on the last days of Liz Truss and also about Bette and Joan, which includes 'brutal' and 'brilliant' portraits of Bette Davis and Joan Crawford (26:37). Presented by Oscar Edmondson. Produced by Patrick Gibbons and Oscar Edmondson.

    2024: Cindy Yu, Michael Simmons, Angus Colwell, Igor Toronyi-Lalic, Mary Wakefield, Fraser Nelson and Michael Gove

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2024 38:10


    On 2024 Out Loud: Cindy Yu examined Chinese work ethic (1:13); Michael Simmons declared his love of the doner kebab (6:28); Angus Colwell reported from Israel in July (9:27); Igor Toronyi-Lalic explained the inspiration behind the cinema of Marguerite Duras (14:41); Mary Wakefield analysed the disturbing truth of the Pelicot case (20:38); Fraser Nelson signed off as editor of The Spectator (27:01); and Michael Gove revealed his thoughts as he sat down at the editor's desk (33:15).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Christmas II: Andrews Watts, Marcus Walker, Ali Kefford, Roger Lewis, Ayaan Hirsh Ali and Christopher Howse

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2024 48:08


    On this week's Christmas Out Loud - part two: Andrew Watts goes to santa school (1:11); Marcus Walker reads his priest's notebook (7:20); Ali Kefford spends Christmas on patrol with submariners (12:34); Roger Lewis says good riddance to 2024, voiced by the actor Robert Bathurst (20:57); Ayaan Hirsh Ali argues that there is a Christian revival under way (32:41); and Christopher Howse reveals the weirdness behind Christmas carols (38:34).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Christmas I: Katy Balls, Craig Brown, Kate Weinberg, Craig Raine, Lisa Haseldine and Melissa Kite

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2024 36:23


    On this week's Christmas Out Loud - part one: Katy Balls runs through the Westminster wishlists for 2025 (1:26); Craig Brown reads his satirist's notebook (7:06); Kate Weinberg explains the healing power of a father's bedtime reading (13:47); Craig Raine reviews a new four volume edition of the prose of T.S. Eliot (19:10); Lisa Haseldine provides her notes on hymnals (28:15); and Melissa Kite explains why she shouldn't be allowed to go to church (31:19).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Alexandra Shulman, Sean Thomas, Matthew Parris, Adrian Dannatt and Philip Hensher

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2024 34:00


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Alexandra Shulman reads her fashion notebook (1:13); Sean Thomas asks if a demilitarised zone in Ukraine is inevitable (6:02); Matthew Parris argues against proportional representation (13:47); Adrian Dannatt explains his new exhibition Fresh Window: the art of display and display of art (21:46); and Philip Hensher declares he has met the man of his dreams: his Turkish barber (28:17).  Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Kate Andrews, Mark Galeotti, Adrian Pascu-Tulbure, Michael Hann and Olivia Potts

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2024 31:04


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Kate Andrews examines the appointment of Scott Bessent as US Treasury Secretary (1:20); Mark Galeotti highlights Putin's shadow campaign across Europe (7:10); Adrian Pascu-Tulbure reports on the surprising rise of Romania's Calin Georgescu (15:45); Michael Hann reviews Irish bands Kneecap and Fontaines D.C. (22:54); and Olivia Potts provides her notes on London's Smithfield Market, following the news it may close (27:28).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Matthew Parris, Joanna Bell, Peter Frankopan, Mary Wakefield and Flora Watkins

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 23, 2024 37:52


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: pondering AI, Matthew Parris wonders if he is alone in thinking (1:10); Joanna Bell meets the leader of the Independent Ireland party, Michael Collins, ahead of the Irish general election later this month (8:41); Professor Peter Frankopan argues that the world is facing a new race to rule the seas (17:31); Mary Wakefield reviews Rod Dreher's new book Living in wonder: finding mystery and meaning in a secular age (28:47); and, Flora Watkins looks at the Christmas comeback of Babycham (34:10).     Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Nadine Dorries, Katy Balls, Edmund West, Sam Dalrymple, and Tanjil Rashid

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2024 32:04


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Nadine Dorries reads her diary (1:12); Katy Balls analyses the politics behind the Assisted Dying debate (5:58); Edmund West allows us a glimpse into Whitby Goth Week (11:55); reviewing Avinash Paliwal's book India's New East, Sam Dalrymple looks at the birth of Bangladesh (17:39); and Tanjil Rashid reveals William Morris's debt to Islam (21:23).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Paul Wood, Sean Thomas, Imogen Yates, Books of the Year II, and Alan Steadman

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2024 29:37


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Paul Wood analyses what a Trump victory could mean for the Middle East (1:16); Sean Thomas gets a glimpse of a childless future while travelling in South Korea (8:39); in search of herself, Imogen Yates takes part in ‘ecstatic dance' (15:11); a second selection of our books of the year from Peter Parker, Daniel Swift, Andrea Wulf, Claire Lowdon, and Sara Wheeler (20:30); and notes on the speaking clock from the voice himself, Alan Steadman (25:26).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Christopher Caldwell, Gus Carter, Ruaridh Nicoll, Tanya Gold, and Books of the Year I

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2024 34:18


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Christopher Caldwell asks what a Trump victory could mean for Ukraine (1:07); Gus Carter argues that leaving the ECHR won't fix Britain's immigration system (8:29); Ruaridh Nicoll reads his letter from Havana (18:04); Tanya Gold provides her notes on toffee apples (23:51); and a selection of our books of the year from Jonathan Sumption, Hadley Freeman, Mark Mason, Christopher Howse, Sam Leith and Frances Wilson (27:08).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Philip Womack, Ian Thomson, Silkie Carlo, Francis Young and Rory Sutherland

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2024 28:06


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Philip Womack wonders why students can't tackle university reading lists (1:12); Ian Thomson contemplates how much Albania has changed since Enver Hoxta's dictatorship (6:12); Silkie Carlo reveals the worrying rise of supermarket surveillance (13:33); Francis Young provides his notes on Hallowe'en fairies (20:21); and Rory Sutherland worries that Britain may soon face a different type of migrant crisis (24:08).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Richard Dawkins, Nicholas Farrell, Mary Wakefield, Lisa Hilton and Philip Hensher

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2024 32:57


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Richard Dawkins reads his diary for the week (1:21); Nicholas Farrell argues that Italy is showing the EU the way on migration (6:33); Mary Wakefield reflects on the horrors, and teaching, of the Second World War (13:54); Lisa Hilton examines what made George Villiers a favourite of King James I (19:10); and a local heroin addict makes Philip Hensher contemplate his weight (27:10).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Michael Gove, Max Jeffery, Christopher Howse, Robert Jackman and Mark Mason

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2024 30:32


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: new Editor Michael Gove discusses his plans for The Spectator (1:08); Max Jeffery heads to Crawley to meet some of the Chagossians based there (5:44); Christopher Howse reads his ode to lamp lighting (12:35); Robert Jackman declares the Las Vegas Sphere to be the future of live arts (19:10); and Mark Mason provides his notes on the joy of swearing (26:50).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Fraser Nelson, Cindy Yu, Mary Wakefield, Anthony Sattin, and Toby Young

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2024 30:45


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Fraser Nelson signs off for the last time (1:30); Cindy Yu explores growing hostility in China to the Japanese (7:44); Mary Wakefield examines the dark truth behind the Pelicot case in France (13:32); Anthony Sattin reviews Daybreak in Gaza: Stories of Palestinian Lives and Cultures (19:54); and Toby Young reveals the truth behind a coincidental dinner with Fraser Nelson and new Spectator editor Michael Gove (25:40).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Rachel Johnson, James Heale, Paul Wood, Rowan Pelling and Graeme Thomson

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2024 34:01


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Rachel Johnson reads her diary for the week (1:19); James Heale analyses the true value of Labour peer Lord Alli (6:58); Paul Wood questions if Israel is trying to drag America into a war with Iran (11:59); Rowan Pelling reviews Want: Sexual Fantasies, collated by Gillian Anderson (19:47); and Graeme Thomson explores the ethics of the posthumous publication of new music (28:00).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Paul Wood, Ross Clark, Andrew Lycett, Laura Gascoigne and Henry Jeffreys

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2024 32:09


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: as Lebanon reels from the exploding pagers, Paul Wood wonders what's next for Israel and Hezbollah (1:24); Ross Clark examines Ireland's low-tax project, following the news that they're set to receive €13 billion… that they didn't want (8:40); Reviewing Ben Macintyre's new book, Andrew Lycett looks at the 1980 Iranian London embassy siege (15:29); Laura Gascoigne argues that Vincent Van Gogh would approve of the new exhibition of his works at the National Gallery (22:35); and Henry Jeffreys provides his notes on corkscrews (28:01).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Fraser Nelson, David Whitehouse, Imogen Yates, Sean McGlynn and Ruari Clark

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2024 30:36


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Fraser Nelson reflects on a historic week for The Spectator (1:15); David Whitehouse examines the toughest problem in mathematics (6:33); Imogen Yates reports on the booming health tech industry (13:54); Sean McGlynn reviews Dan Jones's book Henry V: the astonishing rise of England's greatest warrior king (20:24); and Ruari Clark provides his notes on rollies (26:18).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Ian Thomson, Andrew Watts, Sam Leith, Helen Barrett and Catriona Olding

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2024 31:54


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Ian Thomson reflects on his childhood home following the death of his sister (1:20); Andrew Watts argues that the public see MPs as accountable for everything though they're responsible for little (7:40); Sam Leith reveals the surprising problem of poetical copyright (13:47); Helen Barrett reviews Will Noble's book Croydonopolis and explores the reputation of a place with unfulfilled potential (19:48); and, Catriona Olding ponders moving on from loss to love (26:09).    Produced and presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    Joan Collins, Owen Matthews, Sara Wheeler, Igor Toronyi-Lalic and Tanya Gold

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2024 29:52


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Joan Collins reads an extract from her diary (1:15); Owen Matthews argues that Russia and China's relationship is just a marriage of convenience (3:19); reviewing The White Ladder: Triumph and Tragedy at the Dawn of Mountaineering by Daniel Light, Sara Wheeler examines the epic history of the sport (13:52); Igor Toronyi-Lalic looks at the life, cinema, and many drinks, of Marguerite Duras (21:35); and Tanya Gold provides her notes on tasting menus (26:07).    Presented and produced by Patrick Gibbons.  

    William Cash, Marcus Nevitt, Nina Power, Christopher Howse and Olivia Potts

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2024 30:44


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: William Cash reveals the dark side of Hollywood assistants (1:12); Marcus Nevitt reviews Ronald Hutton's new book on Oliver Cromwell (7:57); Nina Power visits the Museum of Neoliberalism (13:51); Christopher Howse proves his notes on matchboxes (21:35); and, Olivia Potts finds positives in Americans' maximalist attitudes towards salad (26:15).    Presented and produced by Patrick Gibbons.  

    Richard Madeley, Cindy Yu, Lara Prendergast, Pen Vogler and James Delingpole

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2024 29:48


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Richard Madeley reads his diary for the week (1:01); Cindy Yu explores the growing trend for all things nostalgic in China (6:00); Lara Prendergast declares that bankers are hot again (11:26); Pen Vogler reviews Sally Coulthard's book The Apple (17:18); and, James Delingpole argues that Joe Rogan is ‘as edgy as Banksy' (23:24).    Presented by Patrick Gibbons.  

    Gus Carter, Paul Wood, Jonathan Aitken, Laura Gascoigne and Flora Watkins

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2024 35:07


    This week: Gus Carter reports from Rotherham (01:10), Paul Wood asks whether anything can stop full-scale conflict in the Middle East (05:55), Jonathan Aitken takes us inside Nixon's resignation melodrama (16:55), Laura Gascoigne reviews Revealing Nature: The Art of Cedric Morris and Lett-Haines (26:08), and Flora Watkins reads her notes on ragwort (31:24).  Produced and presented by Oscar Edmondson. 

    James Heale, Lara Prendergast, Patrick Marnham, Laura Gascoigne and Michael Simmons

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2024 32:03


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: James Heale interviews Woody Johnson, the former American Ambassador to the UK, about a possible second Trump term (1:19); Lara Prendergast reflects on the issue of smartphones for children and what lessons we could learn from Keir Starmer's approach to privacy (6:35); reviewing Patrick Bishop's book ‘Paris '44: The Shame and the Glory', Patrick Marnham argues the liberation of Paris was hard won (12:37); Laura Gascoigne examines Ukraine's avant garde movement in light of the Russian invasion (20:34); and, Michael Simmons provides his notes on venn diagrams (28:33).    Presented by Patrick Gibbons.  

    Damian Thompson, Paola Romero, Stuart Jeffries, Ysenda Maxtone Graham, and Nicholas Farrell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2024 34:55


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Damian Thompson argues that Papal succession plotting is a case of life mirroring art (1:26); Paola Romero reports on Venezuela's mix of Evita and Thatcher, Maria Corina Machado, and her chances of bringing down Nicolas Maduro (11:39); reviewing Richard Overy's book ‘Why war?', Stuart Jeffries reflects that war has as long a future as it has a past (17:38); Ysenda Maxtone Graham provides her notes on party bags (24:30); and, Nicholas Farrell ponders on the challenges of familial split-loyalties when watching the football in Italy (27:25).  Presented by Patrick Gibbons.

    italy venezuela romero papal nicolas maduro damian thompson stuart jeffries nicholas farrell ysenda maxtone graham
    Kate Andrews, Adam Frank, David Hempleman-Adams, Svitlana Morenets and Michael Beloff

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2024 39:28


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Kate Andrews argues vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance is more MAGA than Trump (1:27); Adam Frank explains how super-earths could help us understand what life might look like on another planet (5:15); David Hempleman-Adams recounts his attempt to cross the Atlantic on a hydrogen ballon (14:31); from Ukraine, Svitlana Morenets reports on the battle to save Kharkiv (20:44); and, Michael Beloff takes us on a history of the Olympics (30:12).    Presented by Patrick Gibbons.  

    James Heale, Svitlana Morenets, Philip Hensher, Francis Beckett and Rupert Christiansen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2024 37:57


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: James Heale analyses the state of the Conservative leadership race (1:09); Svitlana Morenets reports from the site of the Kyiv children's hospital bombed this week (5:56); Philip Hensher examines the ‘Cool Queer Life' of Thom Gunn (12:13); Francis Beckett reviews ‘The Assault on the State' arguing in favour of bureaucracy (21:20); and, Rupert Christiansen reveals why he has fallen out of love with Wagner (27:05).    Presented by Patrick Gibbons.  

    Freddy Gray, Angus Colwell, Matthew Parris, Flora Watkins and Rory Sutherland

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2024 29:46


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: after President Biden's debate disaster, Freddy Gray profiles the one woman who could persuade him to step down, his wife Jill (1:05); Angus Colwell reports from Israel, where escalation of war seems a very real possibility (9:02); Matthew Parris attempts to reappraise the past 14 years of Conservative government (14:16); Flora Watkins reveals the reasons why canned gin and tonics are so popular (21:24); and, Rory Sutherland asks who could possibly make a better Bond villain than Elon Musk? (25:00).    Presented by Patrick Gibbons.  

    Katy Balls, Gavin Mortimer, Sean Thomas, Robert Colvile and Melissa Kite

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2024 30:47


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Katy Balls reflects on the UK general election campaign and wonders how bad things could get for the Tories (1:02); Gavin Mortimer argues that France's own election is between the ‘somewheres' and the ‘anywheres' (7:00); Sean Thomas searches for authentic travel in Colombia (13:16); after reviewing the books Great Britain? by Torsten Bell and Left Behind by Paul Collier, Robert Colvile ponders whether Britain's problems will ever get solved (20:43); and, Melissa Kite questions if America's ye olde Ireland really exists (25:44).    Presented by Patrick Gibbons.  

    Matt Ridley, William Cook, Owen Matthews and Agnes Poirier

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2024 28:05


    On this week's Spectator Out Loud: Matt Ridley argues that whoever you vote for, the blob wins (1:02); William Cook reads his Euros notebook from Germany (12:35); Owen Matthews reports on President Zelensky's peace summit (16:21); and, reviewing Michael Peel's new book ‘What everyone knows about Britain', Agnes Poirier ponders if only Britain knew how it was viewed abroad (22:28).    Presented by Patrick Gibbons.  

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