The Essay Podcast
Leading writers on arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, themed across a week - insight, opinion and intellectual surprise.
Episodes to download
-
![]()
Children of the Waters
Tue 11 Apr 2023
Sabina Dosani looks at the ritual of Mizuko Kuyo and modern ceremonies marking miscarriage
-
![]()
The discordant tale of Thomas Weelkes—New Generation Thinkers 2022
Mon 10 Apr 2023
Ellie Chan looks at the life and music of the Tudor composer who died 400 years ago.
-
![]()
Revolutionary free speech—New Generation Thinkers 2022
Fri 7 Apr 2023
Clare Siviter looks at attempts to liberate and then censor expression in 1790s France.
-
![]()
Fugitive slaves, Victorian justice—New Generation Thinkers 2022
Thu 6 Apr 2023
Oskar Jensen tells the tall tale of a court case inspired by a best-selling novel.
-
![]()
Fugitive slaves, Victorian justice
Thu 6 Apr 2023
Oskar Jensen tells the tall tale of a court case inspired by a best-selling novel
-
![]()
A family of witches—New Generation Thinkers 2022
Wed 5 Apr 2023
Emma Whipday explores the demonisation of single mothers in English witch trials.
-
![]()
A family of witches
Wed 5 Apr 2023
Emma Whipday explores the demonisation of single mothers in English witch trials.
-
![]()
Charles Babbage and broadcasting the sea—New Generation Thinkers 2022
Tue 4 Apr 2023
The father of modern computing thought the sea could communicate. Joan Passey tells us why
-
![]()
The South African Bloomsberries—New Generation Thinkers 2022
Mon 3 Apr 2023
Jade Munslow Ong reads 20s writing by Solomon T Plaatje, Roy Campbell and William Plomer.
-
![]()
Reasons to Cycle—Re: Cycling
Fri 31 Mar 2023
There’s never been a better time to get on our bikes insists cycling devotee Andrew Martin
-
![]()
A Bike Ride—Re: Cycling
Thu 30 Mar 2023
Andrew Martin and his bike catch a train to Derby to enjoy a long leisurely country cycle.
-
![]()
Cycling Apparel—Re: Cycling
Wed 29 Mar 2023
Andrew Martin examines the intriguingly flamboyant history of cycling attire.
-
![]()
The Cyclist as Overdog and Underdog—Re: Cycling
Tue 28 Mar 2023
Andrew Martin considers the changing politics of cycling over the ages.
-
![]()
My Life on a Bike—Re: Cycling
Mon 27 Mar 2023
Writer Andrew Martin casts an affectionate eye over his long and colourful cycling career.
-
![]()
Ben Cottam—Walking the Causeways
Fri 24 Feb 2023
Five writers take us along the routes of tidal causeways. Today, Sunderland Point.
-
![]()
WN Herbert—Walking the Causeways
Thu 23 Feb 2023
Five writers walk the beguiling routes of tidal causeways. Today, Lindisfarne.
-
![]()
Claire McGowan—Walking the Causeways
Wed 22 Feb 2023
Five writers walk us along the beguiling routes of tidal causeways. Today, Burgh Island.
-
![]()
Evie Wyld—Walking the Causeways
Tue 21 Feb 2023
Five writers walk the beguiling routes of tidal causeways. Today, the Isle of Wight.
-
![]()
Patrick Gale—Walking the Causeways
Mon 20 Feb 2023
Five writers walk the beguiling routes of tidal causeways. Today, St Michael’s Mount.
-
![]()
1000 Coils of Fear—Stories to Keep Space for on the Bookshelves
Fri 10 Feb 2023
Tom Smith reads Olivia Wenzel’s novel, which was longlisted for 2020's German Book Prize.
-
![]()
The Heir of Redclyffe—Stories to Keep Space for on the Bookshelves
Thu 9 Feb 2023
Clare Walker-Gore revisits Charlotte M Yonge's best-selling novel from 1853.
-
![]()
Tales from the Garbage Hills—Stories to Keep Space for on the Bookshelves
Wed 8 Feb 2023
Sarah Jilani reads Latife Tekin’s magical realist novel about 1960s Istanbul shanty towns.
-
![]()
Iola Leroy—Stories to Keep Space for on the Bookshelves
Tue 7 Feb 2023
Xine Yao reads the first novel by African American writer Frances EW Harper (1825-1911).
-
![]()
The Paradise Crater—Stories to Keep Space for on the Bookshelves
Mon 6 Feb 2023
Sarah Dillon tells us about the nuclear short story by atomic energy adviser Philip Wylie.
-
![]()
Shinichi Sawada—Art from the Outside
Fri 3 Feb 2023
Psychologist Professor Victoria Tischler celebrates outsider art.
-
![]()
Minnie Evans—Art from the Outside
Thu 2 Feb 2023
Psychologist Professor Victoria Tischler celebrates outsider art.
-
![]()
Mary Barnes—Art from the Outside
Wed 1 Feb 2023
Psychologist Professor Victoria Tischler celebrates outsider art.
-
![]()
Madge Gill—Art from the Outside
Tue 31 Jan 2023
Psychologist Professor Victoria Tischler celebrates outsider art.
-
![]()
Adolf WΓ¶lfli—Art from the Outside
Mon 30 Jan 2023
Psychologist Professor Victoria Tischler celebrates outsider art.
-
![]()
Cape Malay South African Cuisine—From Biltong to Bobotie - Journeys in South African Cuisine
Fri 20 Jan 2023
Writer and broadcaster Lindsay Johns completes his exploration of South African food.
Death in Trieste
A 1760s murder still informs ideas about aesthetics, a certain sort of sex, and death.
Watch: My Deaf World
Five compelling experiences of what it is like to be deaf in 21st-century Britain.
The Book that Changed Me
Five figures from the arts and science introduce books that changed their lives and work.
Download The Essay
Download all the episodes from the series and listen at your leisure.
