Podcast appearances and mentions of James Marriott

Keir Starmer's resignation was distinctly less dramatic than previous Prime Ministers' - is Britain just too used to upheaval in Downing Street?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Charlotte Ivers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer is rubbing shoulders with global leaders at the G7 summit. But have his foreign affairs credentials been undermined by John Healey's resignation?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Sarah Ditum and James Marriott.You can hear more of Hugo on Times Radio from Monday to Thursday, 10am-1pm. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Är vi på väg att bli ett post-litterat samhälle? Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radios app. För trehundra år sedan spred sig en ny färdighet som en löpeld genom samhället: allt fler människor lärde sig läsa. Det skrivna ordet gick från att endast behärskas av en liten elit till att bli något som alla kunde ta del av, vilket banade väg för vetenskaplig och demokratisk revolution.Läskunnigheten har fortsatt öka fram till våra dagar. Men nu verkar något ha hänt. Globala mätningar såväl som nationell forskning pekar på att läsningen och läsförståelsen minskar, och både lärare och politiker vittnar om en läskris.Vad beror den här utvecklingen på, och hur viktig är läsningen egentligen för samhället?Programledare och producent: Wendela Antepohl och Erik PeterssonKällförteckningMedverkandeFredrik Sandström – Svensklärare på Gäddgårdsskolan och krönikör på Vi Lärare.Martin Ingvar – Hjärnforskare och professor vid Karolinska Institutet.Anna Eva Hallin – Logoped och forskare inom språk-, läs- och skrivutveckling vid Karolinska Institutet och Southern Cross University i Australien.James Marriott – Kolumnist på The Times.Harvey J. Graff – Ohio Eminent Scholar i Literacy Studies och professor Emeritus i engelska och historia samt Academy Professor, The Ohio State University.BöckerKunskapssynen och pedagogiken (Magnus Henrekson, Inger Enkvist, Martin Ingvar, Ingrid Wållgren, 2017)The WEIRDest People in the World (Joseph Heinrich, 2020)Searching for Literacy – The Social and Intellectual Origins of Literacy Studies (Harvey J. Graff, 2022)PodcasterHow reading made us (BBC, 2026)Har vi en läskris i Sverige? (SvD, 2024)Källor i urvalThe dawn of the post-literate society (James Marriott, 2025)Läs detta innan du slutar läsa (Kvartal, 2026)Läsklyftorna ökar (Skolporten, 2025)PISA 2022PIRLS 2021Adult skills in literacy and numeracy declining or stagnating in most OECD countries (OECD, 2024)Hjärnforskaren: ”Var fjärde 15-åring i riskzonen för analfabetism” (SVT, 2024)Förödande många elever har aldrig läst en bok (Vi Lärare, 2021)The Decrease of School Related Reading in Swedish Compulsory School: Trends Between 2007 and 2017 (Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research, 2022)Skolverkets lägesbedömning: Svensk skola är splittrad (Skolverket, 2026)Forskarna dömer ut trender i skolan: ”Bygger på myter” (Vi lärare, 2023)Kunskapsöversikt om läs- och skrivundervisning för yngre elever (Vetenskapsrådet, 2014)Så löser vi läskrisen på lågstadiet (Svenskt Näringsliv, 2023)Larmsiffror avslöjar stora språksveket i skolan (Vi Lärare, 2026)Läslusten vaknar i samtal om böcker (SU, 2022)Läskrisen är en epidemi från förskola till universitet (DN, 2024)Whole Language vs. Phonics: The History of the Reading Wars (Lexia, 2025)The Changing Reading Brain in a Digital Culture (Maryanne Wolf, 2020)Is the decline of reading making politics dumber? (The Economist, 2025)Are adults forgetting how to read? (The Economist, 2024)Literacy is power (Inside Higher Ed, 2022)The literacy myth: literacy, education and demography (Harvey J. Graff, 2010)Students do read, but not like the ‘new illiteracy myths' presume (Harvey J. Graff, 2025)Why Is Intelligence Declining? (Medium, 2025)Att lära sig läsa förändrar hjärnan (SvD, 2004)Drastiskt ras för läsningen i skolan (Vi lärare, 2022)”Läskrisen” behöver ett andraspråksperspektiv (SU)Elever och skolenheter i grundskolan (Skolverket, 2025)Skim reading is the new normal. The effect on society is profound (The Guardian, 2018)The effects of literacy and education on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of semantic verbal fluency (Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 2004)Semantic interference on a phonological task in illiterate subjects (Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 2007)The impact of reading and writing skills on a visuo-motor integration task: a comparison between illiterate and literate subjects (Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 2007)Semantic interference on a phonological task in illiterate subjects (Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 2007)The effects of literacy and education on the quantitative and qualitative aspects of semantic verbal fluency (Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 2004)Cognitive processing in literate and illiterate subjects: a review of some recent behavioral and functional neuroimaging data (Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 2001)Effective auditory-verbal encoding activates the left prefrontal and the medial temporal lobes: A generalization to illiterate subjects (NeuroImage, 1999)The illiterate brain. Learning to read and write during childhood influences the functional organization of the adult brain (Brain, 1998)My Life With Literacy: The Continuing Education of a Historian (Harvey J. Graff, 2024)Education for Citizenship or Disciplining for Civility? (Harvey J. Graff, 2026)

Rather than aiming to be liked, should modern day politicians relish the relentless, universal public and online hatred they face and use it to fuel their arguments? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Carol Lewis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pat McFadden's assessment of Labour MPs will fuel claims that the party cares more about welfare recipients than taxpayers - is Keir Starmer's Labour becoming the Welfare Party?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting are each setting out their pitch to be the next Prime Minister. But do their stories of triumphing over adversity make them better politicians?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Keir Starmer insists he's staying on in Downing Street, but an increasing number of his ministers and MPs disagree.What happened to the promise that politics would tread more lightly on our lives? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers, James Marriott and Theo Bertram. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Labour backbenchers are reportedly preparing an open letter urging Keir Starmer to name a resignation date — but who would actually replace him, and would voters be any happier?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have the i-Phone to thank for the fast death of literacy & rise of autocracy"What Orwell feared were those who would ban books. What Huxley feared was that there would be no reason to ban a book because there would be no one who wanted to read one."— Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to DeathThis week, Nick Cohen talks to essayist and Times journalist James Marriott about Marriott's essay on "The dawn of the post-literate society" and his upcoming book "The New Dark Ages." James argued that mass literacy, which emerged in the 18th century, was fundamental to democracy, science, and philosophy, but that modern screen-based technologies like smartphones are replacing reading and leading to mass cognitive decline.James and Nick discuss how television and now social media platforms like TikTok are changing political discourse, making it more emotional and less rational, with examples like Donald Trump's anti-vaxx stance and the rise of populist leaders who thrive on screen.James concludes that democracy may not be sustainable in our current information environment, as it relies on abstract thinking that doesn't translate well to visual media formatsRead all about it!James Marriott is a columnist and film critic on The Times, and has own Substack column, Cultural Capital. James's Substack essay on how the smart phone is helping to usher in a new dark age - The dawn of the post-literate society - And the end of civilisation - went viral and has led to his first book, to be published by Bodley Head - an imprint of Penguin - either next month or in the Autumn, The new Dark Ages: the end of reading and the dawn of a post-literate society. Nick Cohen's @NickCohen4 latest Substack column Writing from London on politics and culture from the UK and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amol runs through your questions with the Times columnist James Marriott. They take on whether we could use technology to encourage people to do more reading, pessimism on social media, and whether we risk changing our sense of what it means to be human when we lose our connection to imaginary worlds in books. James's Radio 4 series ‘How Reading Made Us' is available now on BBC Sounds. GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday. Amol presents the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 and hosts University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and editor of The Independent newspaper. Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers and Rufus Gray with Anna Budd, Cordelia Hemming and Oscar Pearson. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davies. Technical production was by Johnny Hall. The editor is Sam Bonham.

This week, the columnist and writer James Marriott argues that reading is essential to the rise and fall of liberal democracy. He proposes that reading helps the spread of information, encourages critical thinking, and forces people to structure their ideas logically. But he's concerned the shift from deep reading to digital skim-reading - driven largely by screens - is weakening our ability to think in complex, reflective ways. He suggests the decline has political consequences - that a less literate, more screen-dependent public may be more vulnerable to misinformation and less capable of meaningful democratic participation. GET IN TOUCH * WhatsApp: 0330 123 9480 * Email: radical@bbc.co.uk Episodes of Radical with Amol Rajan are released every Thursday. Your Radical Questions is released every Monday. Amol Rajan is a presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, and he's the host of University Challenge on BBC One. Before that, Amol was media editor at the BBC and the editor of The Independent newspaper. Radical with Amol Rajan is a Today Podcast. It was made by Lewis Vickers and Rufus Gray with Anna Budd, Cordelia Hemming and Oscar Pearson. Digital production was by Gabriel Purcell-Davis. Technical production was by Johnny Hall. The editor is Sam Bonham.

Today's episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the Regent Street Cinema in London: David talks to author and journalist James Marriott about Whit Stillman's Metropolitan, which dissects the lives, loves and reading habits of a group of well-to-do young New Yorkers during deb party season. It is a film about being young and feeling old and fearing that you don't have a future any more. Is it all over for the UHBs – the urban haute bourgeoisie? Has history left them behind? Or can one more drink, one more after-party and one more conversation about Jane Austen show them the way to a better tomorrow? Join us on Friday 17th April at the Regent Street Cinema in London for the next film in our spring and summer season: a screening of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut followed by a live podcast recording with David and director and campaigner Beeban Kidron. Tickets available now ⁠https://bit.ly/3O5rSEY⁠ And find details of all our upcoming film events here ⁠https://www.ppfideas.com/events⁠ You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of all episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes on our website ⁠https://www.ppfideas.com⁠ Next Time: Orwell's War Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The rapper Ye - formerly known as Kanye West - has been blocked from headlining a festival in London this summer over anti-semitic behaviour. Can we separate the art from the artist? We also discuss the cumulative impact of doctors' strikes, and ask why politics - and society - can't get over its obsession with the nineties and noughties.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Labour and The Tories parties losing ground to populists - have centrist parties run out of ideas, or just politicians who can sell them? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Fraser Nelson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learning to read permanently alters your brain. It changes the emotions you experience and the way you relate to others. When a society learns to read the consequences are dramatic: wars break out, revolutions erupt and new political systems spring into being. Reading made us who we are. With time spent reading - and even reading ability - starting to nosedive, Times writer James Marriott explores how reading changed humanity, and what might happen if we stop.In this episode James digs into the question of whether literacy led to the invention of democracy, asks whether reading helps us proof ourselves against misinformation, and asks what happens to our politics if reading dies out? Contributors include - Jung Chang, author - Robert Darnton, historian - Steven Pinker, professor of psychology at Harvard University - Naomi Alderman, writer and presenter - John Burn-Murdoch, chief data reporter for the Financial Times - Nick Harris, ideas editor at the New Statesman - Professor Maryanne Wolf, Director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLAProducer - Beth Sagar-Fenton Editors - Chris Ledgard & Alasdair Cross

Reading seems an unremarkable skill. When we say something is as “easy as ABC”, we mean it is very easy indeed. In fact, learning to read has dramatic and irreversible consequences for people and for societies. Learning to read permanently alters your brain. It changes the emotions you experience and the way you relate to others. When a society learns to read the consequences are dramatic: wars break out, revolutions erupt and new political systems spring into being. Reading made us who we are. With time spent reading - and even reading ability - starting to nosedive, Times writer James Marriott explores how reading changed humanity, and what might happen if we stop.In this programme, James asks whether the spread of novel reading in the 18th century caused a moral revolution, whether a book played a role in the abolition of slavery, and whether the rise of reading, a solitary and slightly lonely activity, was one of the factors setting us on the path to our atomized and isolated modern society. Contributions from:- Jung Chang, author - Steven Pinker, professor of psychology at Harvard University - Sarah Maxwell, founder of Saucy Books - Robert Darnton, historian - Naomi Alderman, writer and presenter - Joseph Henrich, professor of anthropology at Harvard University - Maryanne Wolf, professor and Director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLAProducer - Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor - Chris Ledgard

Reform UK launches a competition to pay one winner's energy bills for a year - is the party attempting to out-stunt Ed Davey?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Sarah Ditum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reading seems an unremarkable skill. After all, everyone can read. Even small children. When we say something is as “easy as ABC”, we mean it is very easy indeed. In fact, learning to read has dramatic and irreversible consequences for people and for societies. Learning to read permanently alters your brain. It changes the emotions you experience and the way you relate to others. When a society learns to read the consequences are dramatic: wars break out, revolutions erupt and new political systems spring into being. Reading made us who we are. For centuries people have been reading more and more. Recently the trend has gone into reverse. The number of people who pick up a book has been falling steadily for twenty years. Now half of adults no longer read regularly. How will this change us? Over three episodes, Times writer James Marriott explores how reading made us, and what might happen if we stop.In this first programme, James finds out how unnatural the process of reading is, and the complex alchemy our brains create to make words on the page make sense to us, and asks what we gain - and lose - when we learn to read.Guests include:- Professor Maryanne Wolf, Director of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLA - John Burn-Murdoch, chief data reporter for the Financial Times - Naomi Alderman, writer and presenter - Dr Joseph Henrich, Professor of Anthropology at Harvard UniversityProducer - Beth Sagar-Fenton Editor - Chris Ledgard

Today's episode sees the return of our occasional series with historian Robert Saunders looking at significant political anniversaries: this time it's the 80th anniversary of Winston Churchill's ‘Sinews of Peace' speech given at Fulton, Missouri in March 1946. The speech is best known for introducing the idea of the ‘Iron Curtain'. What was Churchill trying to achieve? Why was his message so controversial in the United States? How did he help inaugurate the Cold War? And where was he right and where was he wrong about the ‘special relationship'? Out now on PPF+: a bonus episode to accompany our recent series with Luke Kemp in which David and Luke talk about how individual experience shapes the way we imagine humanity's fate and can motivate us to do something about it: the personal and the political. To get this and all our bonus episodes plus ad-free listening sign up to PPF+ now https://www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus Join us next Thursday 19th March at the Regent Street Cinema in London for the first film in our new spring and summer season: Whit Stillman's Metropolitan, followed by a live podcast recording with author and journalist James Marriott. Tickets for this and all our screenings are available now https://www.ppfideas.com/events You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of all episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com Next Time: Two Twists and Turns of the Special Relationship Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump's rhetoric towards Iran is visceral, aggressive and often confusing - but is he aiming his bombastic language at Iranians, Republicans, or his reflection in the mirror? Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The story of how reading made us and what might happen if we stop - with James Marriott.

WillNE returns to Saving Grace and we read your comments. GK Barry reveals her new pink Lamborghini, shares tour stories, and roasts WillNE's life choices. Plus a painful Love Island audition tape & weird childhood crushes!

Donald Trump says America's relationship with Britain has changed, warning the UK is “not such a recognisable country” anymore. What's happened to Keir Starmer hugging the US president close?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Charlotte Ivers and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode David talks to Luke Kemp, author of Goliath's Curse, about the strengths and weaknesses of modern states and modern structures of authority. Are modern states any different from the criminal enterprises of coercion that preceded them? Does democracy change the dynamic of societal collapse? What are the lootable resources of the modern age? And why are all states essentially empires? Tickets are on sale now for our new film season at the Regent Street Cinema in London – starting on 19th March with James Marriott talking to David about Whit Stillman's Metropolitan. Details of all our film events are here https://www.ppfideas.com/events Join us on 11th March for a joint LRB/PPF event: The Slow Death of Democracy, with Lyse Doucet, Christopher Clark and Thant Myint-U. Tickets are available now https://www.tickettailor.com/events/londonreviewofbooks/2062789 You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of our episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com Luke Kemp's Goliath's Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse is available now https://bit.ly/4aFczds Next Time: Societal Collapse – The Present Day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's episode is the first in a series of conversations about what causes human societies to fall apart and what might come next. David talks to Luke Kemp, author of Goliath's Curse, about how we build our structures of authority and how they can fail. How were human societies organised before we had governments? What drove the creation of the first hierarchies of domination? Why did rising inequality so often lead to societal collapse? What does this teach us about the vulnerability of our own societies? Out now on PPF+: a bonus episode to accompany our recent exploration of the past, present and future of nuclear warfare in which David discusses John Hersey's Hiroshima (1946), the definitive account of what it's actually like to be on the receiving end of a nuclear attack. To get this and all our bonus episodes plus ad-free listening sign up to PPF+ https://www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus Join us on 11th March for a joint LRB/PPF event: The Slow Death of Democracy, with Lyse Doucet, Christopher Clark and Thant Myint-U. Tickets are available now https://www.tickettailor.com/events/londonreviewofbooks/2062789 Tickets are on sale now for our new film season at the Regent Street Cinema in London – starting on 19th March with James Marriott talking to David about Whit Stillman's Metropolitan. Details of all our film events are here https://www.ppfideas.com/events Sign up now for our free fortnightly newsletter and you'll receive our 50th edition straight to your inbox https://www.ppfideas.com/newsletters You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of our episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com Luke Kemp's Goliath's Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse is available now https://bit.ly/4aFczds Next Time: Societal Collapse – The Modern Age  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's episode is the third and final of David's conversations with S. M. Amadae about nuclear weapons and nuclear war, this time looking to the future. What are the prospects for nuclear disarmament in the 21st century? How does the risk of nuclear war intersect with other existential risks, from climate change to AI? Is the world more dangerous than it has ever been? What are the grounds for hope we might still get out of this alive? Out tomorrow on PPF+: a bonus episode to accompany this series of conversations in which David explores John Hersey's Hiroshima (1946), the definitive account of what it's actually like to be on the receiving end of a nuclear attack. To get this and all our bonus episodes plus ad-free listening sign up to PPF+ now https://www.ppfideas.com/join-ppf-plus Tickets are on sale now for our new film season at the Regent Street Cinema in London – starting on 19th March with James Marriott talking to David about Whit Stillman's Metropolitan. All the details are here https://www.ppfideas.com/events Join us on 11th March for a joint LRB/PPF event: The Slow Death of Democracy - with Lyse Doucet, Christopher Clark and Thant Myint-U. Tickets are available now https://www.tickettailor.com/events/londonreviewofbooks/2062789 You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of our episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com Next Time: Where Are We Going? Societal Collapse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In today's episode David talks to S. M. Amadae about what happened when the nuclear age turned into an all-consuming arms race. What is the supposed logic and the terrifying illogic behind the idea of Mutually Assured Destruction? What is the difference between M.A.D. and N.U.T.S.? Do we really believe that our leaders would press the button? And how have we managed to survive to this point – rationality, luck or merely a stay of execution? Tickets are on sale now for our new film season at the Regent Street Cinema in London – starting on 19th March with James Marriott talking to David about Whit Stillman's Metropolitan. All the details are here https://www.ppfideas.com/events Next Time: How Will the Nuclear Age End? You can find out everything you need to know about this podcast – who we are, what we do, plus merch, events and full lists of our episodes and PPF+ bonus episodes on our website https://www.ppfideas.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Reform UK 'shadow cabinet' has assembled. Nigel Farage has appointed Robert Jenrick, Suella Braverman and Zia Yusuf to key roles - but will voters be convinced that the party is truly a government-in-waiting?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a political whirlwind caused by the Mandelson scandal came close to ending Sir Keir Starmer's premiership, some of his supporters claim the media is addicted to drama - do they have a point?Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's an old theory that has recently gotten a facelift: the era of print literacy has come to an end, superseded by an age of screen time and short attention spans. Neil Postman's class Amusing Ourselves to Death looks ever more prophetic, leading Times of London journalist James Marriott to conclude that this is the dawn of the “post-literate society.” In this episode, Mark and Cameron unpack the hypothesis and ask whether the culture shift has special implications for Protestantism, the word-saturated form of Christianity that emerged side-by-side with the explosion of literacy. The Dawn of the Post-Literate Society, by James MarriottTHE COMMENTARY is an in-depth conversation about vision, worship, and life at Grace Presbyterian Church.Subscribe on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts or Spotify

After Peter Mandelson tells the Times he can't escape his connections with Jeffrey Epstein, the uproar over allegations he leaked sensitive government emails to the late paedophile financier grows.Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with James Marriott and Libby Purves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While you wait for the new season of In Our Time with Misha Glenny, we're introducing you to The Global Story, a new daily podcast from the BBC. In this episode, writer and voracious reader James Marriott discusses the so-called 'death of reading'. He argues that we may be entering a post literate age – shaped by addictive screen culture, fragmented attention, and an overflow of trivial or unreliable information. The conversation traces how the 18th century 'reading revolution' helped shape the modern world, and what its decline could mean for education, culture, and democracy today. If you enjoy this episode, you can find new instalments of The Global Story every day wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

While you're waiting for Season 3 of Surprising Rebirth to drop... how about listening to Justin's brand new show? He's back in the moderator's chair hosting conversations between Christians, atheists, skeptics and seekers in this new podcast and video show.'Uncommon Ground' features leading figures from the world of atheism, psychology, science, culture, literature and theology. Recorded in the beautiful setting of Yarnton Manor, Oxford, they'll be debating purpose in the universe, meaning in life, faith, atheism and the deepest questions of existence. But this isn't just another debate-fest. 'Uncommon Ground' asks each guest to spell out the other's position. Connecting before correcting. Disagreeing well by understanding each other better. Season 1 will feature:Richard, Dawkins & Rowan Williams - on God & science.Alex O Connor & Glen Scrivener - on whether Christianity gave us our morality.Jonathan Pageau & Joe Folley - on whether art and beauty points to God. Anil Seth & Iain McGilchrist - on consciousness and the brain.Paul Davies & Emily Qureshi-Hurst - on whether the universe has a purpose. Elizabeth Oldfield & James Marriott - on whether there's purpose in life.Stephen Meyer & Phil Halper - big bang cosmology and the fine tuning of the universe.  Philip Pullman and Francis Spufford - on literature, meaning, imagination and religion. ...and more to be announced.  Subscribe here: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/ Get access to every episode TWO WEEKS early when you support: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/ Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rZ-nZe04d8G6kwNOMpuI8vQ4Qx3rVEQ Stay up to date - and get free chapters from both my books - by subscribing to my newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/ A production of Think Faith. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Labour backbenchers call on Starmer to reverse the ban on Andy Burnham standing as an MP, a cabinet minister says the decision is 'done and dusted'.Hugo unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump has attacked Britain's decision to hand over the Chagos Islands, using it to argue that the US needs Greenland. As relations with Washington grow more unpredictable, how should Keir Starmer respond? Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Jenni Russell and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government is to criminalise non-consensual deepfakes after concerns were raised about the capabilities of Elon Musk's Grok AI. Can the government control what happens online? And should it?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Megan Kenyon and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are away for Christmas, so this is a repeat of a previous episode. Are we living through the slow death of reading - replaced by an addictive screen culture that fragments our attention and floods us with trivial or unreliable information? Writer and voracious reader James Marriott believes we are entering a post-literate age with profoundly negative consequences for education, culture and democracy itself. In today's episode, James traces how an 18th century ‘reading revolution' shaped the modern-world - and what might follow its sudden decline. Producers: Aron Keller and Sam Chantarasak Editor: James Shield Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: The al-Nahda al-Arabiya library (Arab Renaissance Library) in central Baghdad. AHMED JALIL/EPA.

In this Season 2 finale, Justin asks: 'What's next for the Surprising Rebirth?'When the podcast series launched in 2023, many were skeptical of a 'Surprising Rebirth'. However, two years later, some say statistical evidence is pointing towards a 'Quiet Revival'. But there has been pushback too... Justin interrogates the data, hearing objections and responses from sociologist David Voas and Bible Society researcher Rhiannon McAleer.Peter Dray of IFES charts Gen Z spirituality, while podcaster Elizabeth Oldfield and journalist James Marriott discuss the rise of 'Full Fat Faith' converts. Australian church leader Mark Sayers and British MP Danny Kruger also tackle the vexed question of whether far right politics is co-opting Christianity as the search for a better story continues. More info, book & newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/ Support via Patreon for early access to new episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/justinbrierley/membership Support via Tax-deductible (USA) and get the same perks: https://defendersmedia.com/portfolio/justin-brierley/ Give a one-off gift via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/brierleyjustin Buy the book or get a signed copy: https://justinbrierley.com/the-surprising-rebirth-of-belief-in-god/ Got feedback? Share it with us by emailing: feedback@think.faith Ep 30 show notes: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/season-2-episode-30-is-the-rebirth-real The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God is a production of Think Faith in partnership with Genexis, and support from The Jerusalem Trust. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the week between Christmas and New Year, we're revisiting some of our favourite episodes of 2025. This episode was first published in February.A year ago Times columnist James Marriott ditched his smartphone to escape the endless notifications from his apps. How has he managed without a device many of us feel is indispensable? And could it be a more desirable future?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: James Marriott, Columnist, The Times. Host: Luke Jones. Producer: Edward Drummond.Further reading: I'm a digital native — can I survive without my smartphone?Photo: Jude Edginton for The Times Magazine.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com This podcast was brought to you thanks to subscribers of The Times and The Sunday Times. To enjoy unlimited digital access to all our journalism subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are we living through the slow death of reading - replaced by an addictive screen culture that fragments our attention and floods us with trivial or unreliable information? Writer and voracious reader James Marriott believes we are entering a post-literate age with profoundly negative consequences for education, culture and democracy itself. In today's episode, James traces how an 18th century ‘reading revolution' shaped the modern-world - and what might follow its sudden decline. Producers: Aron Keller and Sam Chantarasak Editor: James Shield Mix: Travis Evans Senior news editor: China Collins Photo: The al-Nahda al-Arabiya library in central Baghdad. (Credit: Ahmed Jalil/EPA)

Rachel Reeves has told Labour MPs she'll survive Wednesday's budget, and be back for years to come. Is it set to be worse than previous budget disasters, including George Osborne's 'omnishambles' in 2012?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Ed Vaizey and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Home Secretary's new asylum plans are facing backlash from Labour MPs, including one who told Times Radio the government is trying to "appease the electorate" - is that the job of politicians, or not?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For many of us, reading involves mostly scrolling through content on our phones rather than picking up a book. James Marriott writes for The Times of London, and he joins host Krys Boyd to discuss how high literacy rates have ushered in human rights and leaps in scientific understanding – and what happens to a society that stops thinking deeply and focuses on the doomscroll. His essay “The dawn of the post-literate society” was published in his Cultural Capital Substack. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The US President has given the BBC until Friday evening to apologise and remove a Panorama episode which edited a speech to make it appear he was inciting violence - or else, he'll sue. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK government will begin housing small boat migrants in military barracks from next month, part of a plan to move asylum seekers out of hotels and cut costs. But why is Labour now supporting policies it once condemned? Calum McDonald unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Virginia Giuffre's posthumous memoir reveals her abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and alleged encounters with Prince Andrew - claims he denies. Now, the disgraced royal faces pressure to disclose what he knows about Epstein's crimes and those who may have enabled them. Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this thought-provoking episode of Thinking Out Loud, Nathan and Cameron dive deep into what it means to be Christian "people of the Book" in a society rapidly drifting into post-literacy. Drawing from James Marriott's article The Dawn of the Post-Literate Society, they explore the cultural, spiritual, and intellectual consequences of our screen-saturated age — and what it means for Christians committed to truth, Scripture, and careful thinking. From the decline in reading comprehension to the passive consumption of endless digital content, they examine how smartphones, edutainment, and modern distractions are shaping our minds and our theology. With references to thinkers like Neil Postman, Kant, and Matthew Arnold, this episode is for Christians who crave rich theological discussion, cultural critique, and a challenge to reclaim deep literacy in a distracted world. Subscribe for more Christian commentary on current events, media, and philosophy.LINK TO ARTICLE: https://jmarriott.substack.com/p/the-dawn-of-the-post-literate-society-aa1DONATE LINK: https://toltogether.com/donate BOOK A SPEAKER: https://toltogether.com/book-a-speakerJOIN TOL CONNECT: https://toltogether.com/tol-connect TOL Connect is an online forum where TOL listeners can continue the conversation begun on the podcast.

Interest in Christianity is growing among young people, particularly among young men. Of those attending church, Gen Z'ers are largely rejecting relativistic forms of faith and being drawn toward historic, robust, and orthodox expressions of Christianity—forms of belief that offer depth, conviction, and community. Autumn and Hunter discuss this movement and encourage the church to maintain a robust, historically rooted faith that preaches the gospel with all of its sharp edges.Resources mentioned in this episode:Full Fat Faith by James MarriottThe Homeless Mind: Modernization and Consciousness by Peter Berger

Danny Kruger - who has called for a "revival of faith" in Britain - has been tasked with preparing Reform for government. Is religion playing a bigger role in politics?Hugo Rifkind unpacks the politics of the day with Libby Purves and James Marriott. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is long form reading a dying pastime? Journalist and cultural critic James Marriott joins EconTalk's Russ Roberts to defend the increasingly quaint act of reading a book in our scrolling-obsessed, AI-summarized age. He urges juggling a paper book and a Kindle, recounts ditching his smartphone to rescue his attention, and shares tactics for finding the "right" beach novel and biography. He and Russ also debate the value of re-reading, spar over Dostoevsky, celebrate Elena Ferrante, and swap suggestions for poetry that "puts reality back in your bones." Throughout, they argue that the shallowness of social media makes the best case for diving into the dense, intellectually difficult, yet uniquely transformative power of books.