Podcast appearances and mentions of Kirsty Wark

Kate, not her real name, has spoken to BBC Radio 4's File on Four Investigates and has revealed that her husband was secretly drugging and raping her for years - in a story that has echoes of the Gisele Pelicot case which rocked France, and the world, at the end of last year. Nuala McGovern speaks to BBC reporter Jane Deith who explains that Kate had to fight for justice and also to Dr Amy Burrell, a research fellow at the University of Birmingham.Imagine you're preparing to host a party at your house when a lost elderly woman shows up at your door. What would you do? This actually happened to writer and director Nadia Conners. Nadia explains to Nuala why the interaction stuck with her for years and has now inspired her debut feature film, The Uninvited.Kirsty Wark, a familiar face on our screens thanks to her long-standing and impressive journalism career, has just been awarded the BAFTA Fellowship - the Academy's highest honour. She joins Nuala McGovern to talk about what it means to have been given this recognition after nearly 50 years as a journalist and broadcaster.Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Laura Northedge

Kirsty Wark has worked for the BBC for almost 50 years and is one of the UK's most recognisable broadcasters. In 1976 she joined BBC Radio Scotland as a graduate researcher. Having produced and presented several shows across radio including The World At One and PM, she switched to television, and went on to present shows such as Breakfast Timeand The Late Show. However, she is best known for presenting BBC Newsnight for over 30 years, which saw her interview key political and cultural leaders. Having stood down after the 2024 election, she now presents Front Row, The Reunion, and documentaries like Icons of Style. On the podcast, Kirsty tells Katy about her father fighting in the D-Day landings, changing attitudes over time towards women at the BBC and her views on British & Scottish identities. They also unpack BBC impartiality, how it should be a ‘trusted friend' to the public and why she left Newsnight. As one of the best-known political interviewers in the UK, Kirsty also explains how she gamed interviews, and the memorable ones from Michael Portillo to Jeffrey Archer to the one that made her name – Margaret Thatcher. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

Kirsty Wark has worked for the BBC for almost 50 years and is one of the UK's most recognisable broadcasters. In 1976 she joined BBC Radio Scotland as a graduate researcher. Having produced and presented several shows across radio including The World At One and PM, she switched to television, and went on to present shows such as Breakfast Timeand The Late Show. However, she is best known for presenting BBC Newsnight for over 30 years, which saw her interview key political and cultural leaders. Having stood down after the 2024 election, she now presents Front Row, The Reunion, and documentaries like Icons of Style. On the podcast, Kirsty tells Katy about her father fighting in the D-Day landings, changing attitudes over time towards women at the BBC and her views on British & Scottish identities. They also unpack BBC impartiality, how it should be a ‘trusted friend' to the public and why she left Newsnight. As one of the best-known political interviewers in the UK, Kirsty also explains how she gamed interviews, and the memorable ones from Michael Portillo to Jeffrey Archer to the one that made her name – Margaret Thatcher. Produced by Patrick Gibbons.

Kirsty Wark talks to Anjelica Huston about playing a magnificent matriarch in the adaptation of Agatha Christie's Towards Zero, which begins on BBC One this weekend. The director of the British Museum, Nicholas Cullinan, talks about the appointment of an architectural firm who will be redeveloping the Museum's galleries, about the pressures of running a national cultural institution and about recent controversies. And actors Tim Roth and Koki discuss their roles in the opening film at the Glasgow Film Festival, director John MacLean's reinvention of the samurai movie tradition, Tornado. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Mark Crossan

Kirsty Wark and guests discuss how visual art and architecture have evolved over the last 25 years. In the latest of our special series reflecting the changing cultural landscape since the start of the millennium, Kirsty Wark discusses the significant shifts in visual art and architecture in the 21st century with Director of Exhibitions and Programmes at Tate Modern Catherine Wood; Sunday Times art critic Waldemar Januszczak; Katrina Brown of The Common Guild in Glasgow; and founder of architectural practice Studio Gil, Pedro Gil. What did the boom in museum and gallery building in the early 2000s say about the public appetite for art? How has programming of exhibitions changed to reflect greater diversity? Is the auction market for contemporary art out of control? And is AI making an impact on contemporary art? Featuring an interview with Turner Prize winning artist Jeremy Deller. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Mark Crossan

Kirsty Wark hosts a Hogmanay edition live from Glasgow. Featuring performances by The Bluebells and piper Malin Lewis. Plus Alan Cumming; Scotland's new Makar, Peter Mackay; and an exploration of representations of New Year in cinema, literature and poetry.

Brothers William and Jim Reid of The Jesus and Mary Chain talk to Kirsty Wark about the ups and downs of their career in music.Plus a discussion on the politics of pantomime, And the video games of the year.Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Mark Crossan

This week, Cally and producer Mike celebrate ten of the very best women of a certain age to have graced the podcast with their presence: Kirsty Wark, Miriam Margolyes, Jenny Eclair, Helen Lederer, Sally Phillips, Philippa Perry, Deborah Meaden, Jackie Morris, Susie Dent and Esther Rantzen. Follow Namaste Motherfuckers now and go listen to those episodes in full! More about Cally PRE-ORDER Cally's Namate Motherf**king book here Instagram: @callybeatoncomedian Twitter: @callybeaton Produced by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions Instagram: @podpeopleuk Music by Jake Yapp Cover art by Jaijo Part of the Auddy Network Sponsorship: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gregg Wallace is to step away from presenting MasterChef while allegations of historical misconduct are investigated. Among those speaking out are former BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark.To discuss Pat was joined by Enda Brady, UK journalist and TRT World Presenter

Iain is joined by the outstanding broadcaster Kirsty Wark for this one. They talk about the ongoing war in the Middle East, one year on from the October 7th attacks. They discuss the Tory leadership, assisted dying, Sue Gray stepping down as the PM's chief of staff and much more besides that!

Kirsty Wark reviews highlights from the Edinburgh Festival, joined by critics Ian Rankin, Chitra Ramaswamy and Dominic Maxwell. They discuss two adaptations of Amy Liptrot's bestselling memoir about addiction, The Outrun. The film version opens the Edinburgh Film Festival tonight and stars Saoirse Ronan in the lead. The stage play The Outrun is a Royal Lyceum Theatre production for the Edinburgh International Festival. Gwyneth Paltrow's skiing incident and subsequent trial has been turned into two different musicals - I Wish You Well, starring Diana Vickers as the Hollywood star, and Gwyneth Goes Skiing. Dominic Maxwell, The Times theatre and comedy critic, gives his verdict on the funniest comedians at this year's Edinburgh Fringe. And they discuss Rebels and Patriots, a play about young soldiers in the IDF, a British Israeli Palestinian co-production. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Timothy Prosser

This programme has been edited since broadcast.Kirsty Wark launches Front Row's regular Scottish editions with a live show from the Edinburgh Festival. Kirsty's guests are the comedians Rose Matafeo and Nish Kumar, Miriam Margolyes performs Dickens, and the Scottish band Teenage Fanclub play a song from their latest album. Plus Charlene Boyd performs a number from her hit show about the American country singer June Carter Cash. Presenter: Kirsty Wark Producer: Claire Bartleet

Now that she's left Newsnight after a 30 year career, in this classic episode from the NMF archive, Cally talks to broadcaster and writer Kirsty Wark about Margaret Thatcher, Vivienne Westwood, the island of Arran, pregnancy, wild weeing, sleeper trains, snoring, fears, shopping, empty nest, menopause, novel writing, love language, cocktails, female role models and the Queen's funeral. Twitter: @KirstyWark Instagram: @kirsty_wark_ Kirsty's books Fortunately podcast with Kirsty as guest La Fetiche clothing More about Cally Instagram: @callybeatoncomedian Twitter: @callybeaton Produced by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions Instagram: @podpeopleuk Music by Jake Yapp Cover art by Jaijo Part of the Auddy Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we look at Rishi Sunak saying he was "hurt" and "angry" after a Reform UK canvasser used a racist term to describe him.Adam is in Glasgow with Newsnight's Kirsty Wark and Nick Watt to discuss the Conservative Leader's response and to answer some of your questions.And Marianna Spring is back with the UK Undercover Voters to look at the influence young people are having on social media during the general election. You can join our Newscast online community here: https://tinyurl.com/newscastcommunityhereNewscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. It was presented by Adam Fleming. It was made by Miranda Slade with Gemma Roper and Sam Maclaren. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

Millions of women around the world will start the menopause this year, but research shows that many are unprepared for it. For a long time, the menopause has been a taboo subject, a fact which both of our guests are seeking to change.Kirsty Wark is perhaps best known for presenting the BBC's Newsnight programme, but she also hosted the groundbreaking documentary ‘The Menopause and Me' in 2017. Professor Joyce Harper of the Institute for Women's Health at University College London is an expert on the menopause, and author of the book ‘Your Fertile Years'.The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We're keen to hear from you, wherever you are in the world. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell The Global Story. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. #TheGlobalStory.TGS is part of the BBC News Podcasts family. The team that makes The Global Story also makes several other podcasts, such as Americast and Ukrainecast, which cover US news and the war in Ukraine. If you enjoy The Global Story, then we think that you will enjoy some of our other podcasts too. To find them, simply search on your favourite podcast app.This episode was made by Alice Aylett Roberts, Tom Kavanagh and Rachel Hagan. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The assistant editor is Sergi Forcada Freixas and the senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

At the end of this week Newsnight as we know it comes to an end. From Tuesday, its format will change – and it'll be shorter too. To discuss the end of an era, Katie and Ros speak to an all-star Newsnight line up: Kirsty Wark, Peter Snow, Michael Crick. They're also joined by Professor Suzanne Franks, who researches changing broadcast news consumption. On Saturday, Oleksandr Usyk beat Tyson Fury to become boxing's undisputed heavyweight champion. The high-profile match was held in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which has been accused of ‘sportswashing'. Alex Pattle from The Independent reveals what it was like reporting from the event, and Prof Simon Chadwick analyses the Saudi sports investment strategy.The actor Scarlett Johansson has accused OpenAI of deliberately copying her voice for its latest chatbot ‘Sky'. OpenAI said that it would remove the voice, but insisted that it was not meant to be an "imitation" of the star. Lawyer Susan Aslan assesses if the actor has a case, and tech journalist Takara Small updates us on the latest AI releases. Guests: Kirsty Wark, broadcaster; Peter Snow, broadcaster; Michael Crick, broadcaster; Alex Pattle, Combat Sports correspondent, The Independent; Simon Chadwick, Professor of Sport and Geopolitical Economy, Skema Business school; Takara Small, technology journalist; Susan Aslan, Partner, ACK Media Law.Presenters: Katie Razzall and Ros Atkins Producer: Simon Richardson

In an interview with Nick on Radio 4's Today this week, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined how Labour would try to plug the gap in NHS funding. The interview raised big political and economic questions about the state of the nation's finances ahead of the next general election.In The Today Podcast this week, Nick reflects on that interview and why the economic credibility of opposition parties can win or lose elections.Former chancellor Philip Hammond lifts the curtain on his time in the Treasury and tells us why it is not easy to be honest about the state of public spending.And Bloomberg's head of economics and politics, former BBC economics editor Stephanie Flanders, challenges Nick on whether the media are asking politicians the right questions on the economy. Plus Newsnight host Kirsty Wark pops in to give us her moment of the week – and talk about Netflix's Prince Andrew drama ‘Scoop'. Episodes of The Today Podcast land every Thursday and watch out for bonus episodes. Subscribe on BBC Sounds to get Amol and Nick's take on the biggest stories of the week, with insights from behind the scenes at the UK's most influential radio news programme. If you would like a question answering, get in touch by sending us a message or voice note via WhatsApp to +44 330 123 4346 or email us Today@bbc.co.uk The Today Podcast is hosted by Amol Rajan and Nick Robinson, both presenters of BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the UK's most influential radio news programme. Amol was the BBC's media editor for six years and is the former editor of the Independent, he's also the current presenter of University Challenge. Nick has presented the Today programme since 2015, he was the BBC's political editor for ten years before that and also previously worked as ITV's political editor. The senior producer is Tom Smithard, the producers are Hazel Morgan and Joe Wilkinson. The editor is Louisa Lewis. The executive producer is Owenna Griffiths. Technical production from Jonny Hall and digital production from Elliot Ryder.

SCOTTISH ISLAND ADVENTURES: ARRAN GUEST: KIRSTY WARK Arran Just off the west-coast, Arran is one of Scotland's most accessible islands. Its location makes it ideal for a day-trip, mini-break, or extended stay and whether you want to roam the island's natural landscapes or browse the boutique shops, there is such a wide array of visitor attractions that you certainly won't get bored quickly!  Otter's Tail Before you set off on your own island adventure, consider using Otter's Tail who will make sure you're kitted out with the right equipment and an experienced guide to help you make the most of the island. They offer three different packages including sea-kayaking, hill-walking, and gorge-walking, so whatever side of the Arran you're into, Otter's Tail have got you covered.  Arran Dairies Arran Dairies are the farmers behind the award-winning Arran Ice Cream, whose sensational flavours are made with milk straight from the farm's own cattle herd. Products from Arran Dairies are high-quality and well worth a taste.  Brodick Castle Owned and looked after by the National Trust for Scotland, Brodick Castle is the perfect family day out. Have a look round the castle full of fascinating artefacts from paintings and period furniture to sporting trophies and learn about the castle's old inhabitants from the 16th century onwards. Alternatively you can explore Britain's only island country park complete with fairy trails, immaculate gardens, and cascading waterfalls. Thank you for listening to the Caledonian MacBrayne podcast. You can find out more about Scotland's west coast islands and all topics discussed on this episode at calmac.co.uk/podcast

To round out 2023 Namaste Motherfuckers brings you the Top Ten of Life Advice as given by just some of our guests this year including Deborah Meaddon, Kirsty Wark, Al Murray, Richard Herring and more. If you haven't already, why not follow Namaste Motherf**kers  at https://auddy.co/shows/entertainment/namaste - that way you'll never miss a show! More about Cally Instagram: @callybeatoncomedian Twitter: @callybeaton Produced by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions Instagram: @podpeopleuk Music by Jake Yapp Cover art by Jaijo Sales & advertising: advertising@audioboom.com Sponsorship: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All Christmas classics become a franchise and so this episode is our third annual Christmas Cracker. Despite it being a question that most guests moan about, and worryingly, most comedians try to cop out with 'I'm not good at telling jokes,' Cally persevered with it in 2023 and here are just some of our favourites including guests like Deborah Meadon, Kirsty Wark, Rev Richard Coles, Mark Steel, Al Murray, Phillipa Perry and more. If you haven't already, why not follow Namaste Motherf**kers  at https://auddy.co/shows/entertainment/namaste - that way you'll never miss a show! More about Cally Instagram: @callybeatoncomedian Twitter: @callybeaton Produced by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions Instagram: @podpeopleuk Music by Jake Yapp Cover art by Jaijo Sales & advertising: advertising@audioboom.com Sponsorship: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kirsty Wark joins Emma Barnett to talk about stepping down from Newsnight after 30 years; what she's planning to fill the extra time with and she also shares some Christmas cooking tips.A new book, A Heart Afire, paints a picture of paediatrician Helen Taussig who dedicated her life to looking after children with heart defects. We hear from author Patricia Meisol.We look at the issues of "workplace housework" - tasks like organising office Christmas parties, sorting the secret santa gifts, decorating the communal spaces - with economist Lise Vasterlund and comedian Cally Beaton.Could a woman win the BBC's annual Sports Personality Of The Year award later today? Now in it's 70th year, we talk to Lady Mary Peters who won the gong in 1972 – the same year she won gold in the pentathlon at the Munich Olympics.Presenter: Emma Barnett Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Studio Manager: Neva Missirian

The American singer-songwriter Natalie Merchant often uses fictional or mythological characters in her songs, to capture contemporary and political concerns. Her latest album, Keep Your Courage, is a song cycle composed entirely of love songs. She tells Kirsty Wark she wanted to explore the isolation of illness and the power of care, felt in the last few years. In his new book, Musical Truth, the educator and broadcaster Jeffrey Boakye creates a soundtrack that encapsulates key historical moments of the 20th and 21st century – from the carving up of Africa to feminism and football. Using jazz, disco and hip hop he explores how music both feeds into and mirrors its time, as well as its political and cultural impact. But the writer Michel Faber is more interested in how music affects the individual. In a collection of essays, Listen: On Music, Sound and Us, he explores what's going on inside when we listen to a whole range of tunes. And he asks two questions: how do we listen to music and why? Producer: Katy Hickman

In this special episode, we delve into the Meet Me at the Museum archive to pull out highlights from some of our visits to Scotland, including journalist and broadcaster Kirsty Wark at V&A Dundee, ‘Succession' star Brian Cox at the National Gallery of Scotland, DJ and broadcaster Edith Bowman at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow, and actor Jack Lowden at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kirsty Wark celebrates the artistry of numbers with three mathematicians Eugenia Cheng, Sarah Hart and Emily Howard. Eugenia Cheng asks Is Maths Real? in her new book, which offers a new way to look at the subject by focusing on the questions, rather than the answers. She explores how asking the simplest of questions – ‘why does 1 + 1 = 2?' – can get to the very heart of the search for mathematical truth. Sarah Hart wants to break down the perceived barriers between mathematics and the creative arts. In Once Upon a Prime: The Wondrous Connections Between Mathematics and Literature she reveals the geometry lurking in Moby-Dick, George Eliot's obsession with statistics, and Jurassic Park's fractal patterns. Emily Howard has a dual passion for maths and music. In her compositions she plays with mathematical shapes and processes. Her new record Torus, released on NMC Recordings in April, brings together works including sphere and Compass. Producer: Katy Hickman

Humza Yousaf has been elected to follow Nicola Sturgeon as the next SNP leader and will soon become Scotland's first minister. BBC Scotland editor James Cook, BBC special correspondent James Naughtie, and Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark talk about what it means for the future of Scotland and the rest of the UK. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has delayed controversial plans to reform the judicial system after mass protests. Adam gets instant reaction from the BBC's Tom Bateman in Jerusalem. Today's Newscast was made by Chris Flynn with Rufus Gray, Miranda Slade, and Cordelia Hemming. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The assistant editor was Alison Gee. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

The world is now warming faster than at any point in recorded history. Kirsty Wark talks to an historian, scientist and novelist about how to convey the story and impact of climate change. Floods, droughts, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and solar activity have all shaped the natural history of our world from its formation. In The Earth Transformed the historian Peter Frankopan looks back at how the climate has constantly changed our world, but also at the impact of extreme climatic events on ancient human civilisations – often violent and epic in scale, from regime change to demographic decline. However, since the Industrial Revolution the balance has shifted and anthropogenic impacts on the climate can be seen more clearly. Peter Frankopan tells Kirsty Wark that learning lessons from the past has never been more important in tackling a precarious future. Professor Dame Jane Francis is Director of the British Antarctic Survey. As a geologist by training, she studies fossils to understand the change from greenhouse to icehouse climates in the polar regions over the past 100 million years. Her research enables others to map the huge changes now happening in the Antarctic and the range of possible scenarios for the future. “As I grew up, crisis slid from distant threat to imminent probability, and we tuned it out like static, we adjusted to each emergent normality, and did what we had always done. . . .” One of the narrators of Jessie Greengrass's novel The High House realises too late the disastrous impact of climate change. In what has become known as the literary genre clifi – climate fiction – Greengrass reveals the physical and emotional challenges the survivors face. Producer: Katy Hickman Image: An iceberg in Antarctica

It's twenty years since the US and UK invaded Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein. Kirsty Wark discusses the lead up to the war, the impact on the lives of Iraqis and the legacy. Ghaith Abdul-Ahad left his job in Baghdad and became a journalist during the Iraq War in 2003. He witnessed first-hand the liberation of his country from a megalomaniac leader and then its descent into factionalism and violence. In A Stranger In Your Own City he movingly recounts the very real human cost of the invasion, as well as the civil wars and rise of ISIS that followed. Emma Sky volunteered to help rebuild Iraq post-invasion and went on to serve as the representative of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Kirkuk and then as a political advisor to the US army in the following decade. Now an academic at Yale University, she looks back at why the Iraq invasion failed and its implications across the region. She's the author of The Unravelling and In a Time of Monsters: Travelling in a Middle East in Revolt. The BBC's Security correspondent Gordon Corera was a young reporter during the frenetic build up to the war, talking to spies, defectors and politicians. In a 10-part series – Shock and War: Iraq 20 Years On (from 13th March at 1.45 and on BBC Sounds) – he talks to those at the centre of that decision to go to war, and looks at the far-reaching consequences, from trust in politics, security and liberal intervention. Producer: Katy Hickman

Highlights from the weekends shows with Kirsty Wark, Markus Fjortoft, Andy Bargh & Fiona Stalker joining Stuart and Tam for some Petty and Ill-Informed fun.

Norway, Scotswomen, Euro 2020 memories and the UFO XI with Kirsty Wark, Markus Fjortoft and Andy Bargh

Scotland is looking for a new first minister. As the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon starts to take shape, Newsnight's Kirsty Wark, “fresh” off the sleeper train from Edinburgh, and Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, share their views on what's next for Scottish politics and independence. The family of missing Nicola Bulley say speculation about her private life needs to stop. A policing expert, and a press officer who worked on the Madeleine McCann case, explain why Lancashire Police revealed details about her personal struggles. And after Adam personally tried and tested the postal delays, we hear from someone who received a letter from the Royal Mail more than 100 years late. Today's Newscast was made by Daniel Wittenberg with Chris Flynn and Rufus Gray. The technical producer is Mike Regaard. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

In this episode Cally talks to broadcaster and writer Kirsty Wark about Margaret Thatcher, Vivienne Westwood, the island of Arran, pregnancy, wild weeing, sleeper trains, snoring, fears, shopping, empty nest, menopause, novel writing, love language, cocktails, female role models and the Queen's funeral. Twitter: @KirstyWark Instagram: @kirsty_wark_ Kirsty's books Fortunately podcast with Kirsty as guest La Fetiche clothing More about Cally Instagram: @callybeatoncomedian Twitter: @callybeaton Produced by Mike Hanson for Pod People Productions Instagram: @podpeopleuk Music by Jake Yapp Cover art by Jaijo Sales & advertising: info@theloniouspunkproductions.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Scottish government loses its case for a second independence referendum. Scotland Editor James Cook and Newsnight's Kirsty Wark are in Edinburgh. They join Adam and Chris to assess what Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, might do next. Also on the podcast - the head of the RMT union, Mick Lynch. He explains why there are more rail strikes coming down the track and reveals what he's going to say to the transport secretary at their first meeting. And what is happening with Manchester United? Fan (and Today programme presenter), Nick Robinson, takes Adam through the latest twists and turns. This episode of Newscast is presented by Adam Fleming and made by Chris Flynn with Amy Elizabeth and Cordelia Hemming. The technical producer was Emma Crowe and the assistant editor was Louisa Lewis.

The Nobel peace prize-winner Maria Ressa is a journalist who has spent decades speaking truth to power in the country of her birth, the Philippines. She looks back at her life, and her ongoing battle against disinformation and political lies in How To Stand Up To A Dictator. She tells Kirsty Wark that although she is hounded by the state and faces threats of imprisonment, she is determined to continue fighting for the truth. Zsuzsanna Szelényi was once one of the leading politicians in Hungary's ruling party, Fidesz, but now sits in opposition. In Tainted Democracy she charts what she calls her country's descent into autocracy. She explores how the populist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has consolidated his grip on power, reining in the media and making sweeping changes to legal and economic frameworks. In his latest three part series for BBC television, History of Now, Simon Schama looks back at the dramatic history that has played out in the decades of his own life from 1945. He explores the vital role of artists, writers and musicians in fighting for democracy and equality post-war. The series reveals the extraordinary power of art to shape the world, and the immense personal cost of creating work that dares to take a stand. Producer: Katy Hickman Image: Simon Schama in front of Picasso's 'Guernica'. From Simon Schama's 'History of Now', Episode 1, BBC 2 (Credit: BBC/Oxford Films/Eddie Knox)

What's behind Suella Braverman's comeback? Rishi Sunak defends the home secretary's return to the Home Office at his first PMQs. Chris Mason joins Adam to assess how it went, and updates us on the future of the government's economic plan. Historian and host of the BBC podcast You're Dead to Me, Greg Jenner, explores the parallels between today's Westminster politics and ancient Rome. And Newsnight's Kirsty Wark and China expert, Isabel Hilton, discuss the future of China under Xi Jinping. This episode of Newscast was presented by Adam Fleming and made by Tim Walklate with Chris Flynn and Miranda Slade. Emma Crowe was the technical producer and the assistant editor was Sam Bonham.

In the grounds of Pollok House, Mandi searches for signs of spring with one of Britain's most experienced television journalists, Kirsty Wark. They chat about the history of Pollok, working on Newsnight and raising awareness of issues affecting women of all ages. Twitter: twitter.com/kirstywark?lang=en Instagram: instagram.com/kirsty_wark_/ BBC Newsnight: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mk25 Womanhood – BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0011xgn Website (with book links): www.blackpeppermedia.com/ For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: thebiglight.com/naturalwanders

"Stand still, and I will read to thee / A lecture, love, in love's philosophy." John Donne is one of the greatest love poets in the history of the English language. In a new biography, Super-Infinite, Katherine Rundell reveals the many transformations in his life – from scholar to sea adventurer to priest. She also tells Kirsty Wark of his extraordinary ability to transform language into something new. Copies of his Metaphysical Poems will be well-thumbed by students around the country. But what of the power of books in general? In Portable Magic: A History of Books and their Readers, Emma Smith presents an iconoclastic and revisionist story of our love affair with books. Megan Walsh meanwhile has been looking at contemporary Chinese literature. The Subplot: What China is Reading and Why it Matters, reveals the huge appetite for books and the wonderful diversity of Chinese writing – from migrant-worker poetry movements and homoerotic romances to surreal stories and sci-fi. Producer: Katy Hickman

New York, 1984: the iconic artist Andy Warhol meets the rising star Jean-Michel Basquiat. Their relationship as they work together on a landmark exhibition is at the heart of the world premiere of Anthony McCarten's new drama, The Collaboration, at the Young Vic theatre. The director Kwame Kwei-Armah tells Kirsty Wark how the drama pulls apart the creative, racial and sexual tensions between the two, and explores artistic reputations and rivalries. The artist Louise Bourgeois was already in her 70s in the 1980s and slowly getting the attention she deserved. An exhibition at the Hayward Gallery in London focuses on the decades that followed as she had a late burst of creativity using fabric and textiles. The curator of Woven Child Ralph Rugoff explains how the artist began to incorporate clothes from all stages of her life into her art, mining themes of personal trauma, memory, identity and reparation. The Somali-British poet Warsan Shire has been hailed as the voice of a generation, who has collaborated with the superstar Beyoncé. Her debut collection, Bless The Daughter: Raised By A Voice In Her Head is full of sounds and smells, exploring the lives of refugees and the relationship between mothers and daughters. While she is celebrated as an exciting poet of our time, Shire says she looks to Somalia's literary heritage for inspiration. Producer: Katy Hickman Photo credit: Jeremy Pope and Paul Bettany in 'Collaboration' (c) Marc Brenner. Concept and design by Émilie Chen.

Modernism is a cultural and philosophical movement that emerged in the West during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It's a complex hydra-headed beast that was pervasive in the arts, but also spread through modern industrial societies influencing architecture and science. As part of a series of programmes on BBC Radio 3 and 4 celebrating modernism, Kirsty Wark presents an introduction to modernism – how and why did it arise at this time, and its legacy today. She is joined by the cultural historian Matthew Sweet who is presenting a 10-part series for BBC Radio 4 on a crucial year for modernism: 1922 – The Birth of Now. Suzanne Hobson, from Queen Mary University of London, is an expert on modernist literature, and examines the defining characteristics of the genre, while the musician Soweto Kinch discusses the impact of modernism on music, especially the development of jazz, and how it plays out today. While innovations in the arts including stream of consciousness, atonal music and abstract art are the headline acts for modernism the academic Charlotte Sleigh looks more closely at what was happening in the sciences, and how innovations in physics, psychology and technology changed the way people experienced the world. Producer: Katy Hickman Image: Modulor le Corbusier. Cover template.

What does the face of power look like? It's a question the academic Mary Beard explores in her latest book, Twelve Caesars: Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern. She tells Kirsty Wark how the depiction of Roman autocrats have influenced art, culture and the presentation of power for more than two thousand years. King George III was condemned in the 18th century as ‘the cruellest tyrant of his age' and depicted as a diminutive and pompous figure in the 21st century musical, Hamilton. These are images the historian Andrew Roberts seeks to counter in his new biography of the King. His revisionist account argues that far from being a tyrant or incompetent he was one of the country's most admirable monarchs. Modern political leaders are no strangers to the importance of public image. As the Conservative government holds its party political conference in Manchester the political commentator and sometime-stand-up comedian Ayesha Hazarika looks at how leaders of different parties have tried to stage manage their hold on power. Producer: Katy Hickman

Kirst Wark is a Newsreader, TV Presenter, and journalist who is one of the most respected in the world. She's a proud Scot much like Alan, and that's where they go back to - specifically, Glasgow. But just how did Kirsty and Alan first start working together?Alan Cumming's Shelves is all about Alan Cumming and his shelves. There's lots of things on these shelves, oddities and artefacts from across Alan's life, and so each week he takes one of the curiosities off his shelf, and tells you all about it, with the help of some friends. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Scotland's former National Poet Jackie Kay celebrates the tempestuous life of the great blues singer, Bessie Smith. Born in Tennessee in 1894 Bessie was a street singer before she made it big at a time of racial violence and segregation. Jackie Kay remembers growing up as a young black girl in Glasgow and she tells Kirsty Wark how she idolised this iconic singer. In Time's Witness the historian Rosemary Hill explores the historical shift in focus from the grand sweeping narratives of kings and statesmen to a new interest in the lives of ordinary people. She argues that the turn of the 19th century and the age of the Romantics ushered in a more vibrant and serious debate about the importance of oral history, clothes, music, food and art. The artist Michael Armitage is exhibiting his latest work at the Royal Academy in London until September. Born in Kenya in 1984 but based between Nairobi and London, Armitage is influenced by contemporary East African art and politics, as well as drawing on European art history from Titian to Gauguin. His exhibition Paradise Edict showcases 15 of his large scale works painted on lubugo bark cloth, a material traditionally made in Uganda. Producer: Katy Hickman

A big step back to normal is coming for England. People will be able to hug their loved ones and enjoy a pint INSIDE the pub from next Monday. Our Health Editor, Hugh Pym, has all the latest details. Newsnight’s Kirsty Wark joins us from Edinburgh, as the fallout from the Scottish Parliament elections continues. And Professor Ciaran Martin, who was involved in the Scottish independence referendum in 2014, as a senior civil servant, helps us map out some of the SNP’s potential paths to independence. Today’s Newscast was made by Sam Bonham with Danny Wittenberg, Alix Pickles and Maz Ebtehaj. The Studio Director was Emma Crowe. Dino Sofos is the Editor.

In this episode, Nick offers the ‘Ticket To Ride’ tickets to BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark. A writer, journalist and presenter, Kirsty takes us from journeys to her favourite corner of her native Scotland, through to a night out in the bars and restaurants of ancient Spain, and tells us what it's like to see New York through the eyes of her son and his friends...   Created and Presented by Nick Evans Music and Audio Production by Benjamin Holder Produced by Scratch Post Productions

Kerri ní Dochartaigh was born in Derry-Londonderry at the height of the Troubles, to a Catholic mother and Protestant father. In Thin Places she traces a life affected by poverty, loss and violence, and the invisible border that runs through it. But she tells Kirsty Wark how the natural world has helped heal the traumas of childhood. For the writer Sally Bayley it was Shakespeare that brought her solace and ignited her imagination. Growing up in a working class household with no father figures Bayley roamed through his plays looking for companions and escape from her oppressive home. In No Boys Play Here: A Story of Shakespeare & My Family’s Missing Men she explores the crisis of male homelessness and mental illness. The award-winning actress Lisa Dwan has a deep affiliation with the works of Samuel Beckett. But in her latest performance she reaches back to the ancient Greek tragedians reimagined by another acclaimed Irish writer Colm Tóibín. In Pale Sister she recounts Sophocles’ tragedy of Antigone from the viewpoint of her sister, Ismene. Producer: Katy Hickman

In this episode, Ben explores the story of one of the most significant discoveries of rare Viking-age objects ever found in Britain. The Galloway Hoard lay undisturbed for a thousand years before being unearthed by a metal detectorist in 2014. Ben learns more about this exceptional find from experts Martin Goldberg and Clare Downham, hears about the unique landscape in which the hoard was discovered from broadcaster and Galloway native Kirsty Wark, and gets an insight into the skilled craftsmanship involved in making many of the intricate metalwork pieces in the collection from Scottish jewellery designer Kathryn King.The Galloway Hoard is part of the collection at National Museums Scotland and was acquired with the support of Art Fund. You can see an image at https://www.artfund.org/artandstuff See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Latin scholar Shadi Bartsch has written a new translation of Virgil’s The Aeneid. She tells Kirsty Wark how this timeless epic about the legendary ancestor of a Roman emperor has been constantly invoked and reinterpreted over its two thousand year history. She argues that this poem still has much to say to contemporary readers about gender, politics, religion, morality, nationalism and love. It was while arguing about the merits of the Aeneid’s tragic queen, Dido of Carthage, that the classicist Natalie Haynes decided it was time to rescue the women in ancient myths. Centuries of male interpretations, she argues, has led to the demonization and dismissal of the likes of Medusa, Phaedra and Medea. In Pandora’s Jar: Women in Greek Myths she goes back to the original stories, reinstating the more complex roles given to these women in antiquity. In the 17th-century the Italian painter Artemisia Gentileschi drew inspiration from the women in ancient myths, allegories and the Bible, as seen in a new exhibition of her work at the National Gallery in London. The curator, Letizia Treves, says that Gentileschi challenged conventions and defied expectations, painting subjects that were traditionally the preserve of male artists, and transforming the meek into warriors. Producer: Katy Hickman (Picture credit: the National Gallery)

Rachel chats to broadcaster, journalist and author, Kirsty Wark. The pair enjoy an Isle of Jura Turas Mara, an Arran 10 and a Talisker Storm - all part of the Flaviar box.Kirsty is the recipient of many awards, including BAFTA Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Broadcasting, Journalist of the Year and Best Television Presenter. She is best-known for presenting Newsnight on BBC2.Kirsty’s website: www.blackpeppermedia.comFollow Kirsty on Twitter: @KirstyWarkFor more information about the podcast, visit: www.thebiglight.com/doublescotch See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The first of two programmes from Islay, after iPM listener Chris suggested the Hebredian island for an outside broadcast. Who lives there? What makes them tick? And how do they keep local traditions alive? We also hear from Ileachs - the residents there - about the booming whiskey industry, the impact its growth is having on Islay's infrastructure and how it attracts huge numbers of tourists to the island each year. iPM is the programme that starts with your story - iPM@bbc.co.uk And Newsnight's Kirsty Wark reads our Your News bulletin. Presented by Luke Jones. Produced by Cat Farnsworth.

Richard Coles and Aasmah Mir are joined by agony aunt Irma Kurtz. 10 year old blogger Harry Hamer talks about missing his grandparents when they moved abroad, Jean Singfield describes why a set of rosary beads are the Thing About Her, Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark reveals her secret love of tapestry, author Stephen Armstrong celebrates Ibiza, comedian Jack Whitehall shares his Inheritance Tracks, and veteran servicemen Darren 'Swifty' Swift discusses his reinvention as an actor, and listeners Sally, Liz and Jacqui, say 'thank you' for a past kindness large or small.Irma Kurtz reflects on 40 years of dispensing advice, why being a grandmother is so great, why she's ended up without that special soulmate and her new book 'My Life In Agony'.Journalist Kirsty Wark tells JP Devlin how she inherited a love of tapestry from her mother. Kirsty's new novel is 'The Legacy of Elizabeth Pringle'.Stephen Armstrong explains why Ibiza has always been the place to party. He's currently updating his book about Ibiza 'The White Island'.For his Inheritance Tracks Jack Whitehall chooses plainchant from the Monks of Ampleforth Abbey and Rollin' by Limp Bizkit. He and his father Michael have written a book called 'Him and Me'.Former servicemen Darren 'Swifty' Swift charts his journey from military service to the stage. He's currently appearing in Owen Sheers' play 'The Two Worlds of Charlie F' which is touring the UK. Producer: Maire Devine.

Andrew Lloyd Webber looks at the restoration of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Writer Allan Cubitt reveals the advantages of setting his new TV drama in Belfast. Ken Bruce, Kirsty Wark and Richard Bacon discuss the art of playing themselves. Front Row's Jukebox Jury deliver their verdicts on this year's Eurovision Song Contest contenders. And John Wilson meets the photographer Rankin and the musician Karl Hyde from Underworld.