A weekly reflection on a topical issue.
Radio 4,Β·825 episodes
Howard Jacobson reflects on hugging, past and present.
Will Self on why he's decided to "eat" buildings
Bernardine Evaristo reflects on body image and the fashion industry.
David Goodhart defends objective facts over personal experience.
Sara Wheeler on lockdown for her brother, severely learning disabled, and others like him
Howard Jacobson with his personal reaction to a monumental week in US politics.
Zoe Strimpel examines why we've become so passionately obsessed with dogs.
Will Self advocates a novel practice for our times.
Adam Gopnik reflects on the appearance of Jupiter in the skies over Manhattan.
Rebecca Stott on memories of Angel Delight, Smash powder and an invaluable device.
Bernardine Evaristo on why wearing a mask these days is the least we can do.
Tom Shakespeare discusses our changing attitudes to risk.
Sarah Dunant on QAnon... and conversations with her hairdresser.
Zoe Strimpel discusses growing divides between our social groupings.
Michael Morpurgo questions whether we are educating our children or programming them.
Adam Gopnik on why, during the pandemic, there's a fine line between clever... and stupid.
John Gray discusses why he believes liberals are turning their backs on tolerance.
Will Self reflects on how the pandemic could affect our perception of human progress.
Bernardine Evaristo reflects on changing attitudes to gender.
Linda Colley on why being a small nation can be an advantage.
Rebecca Stott tells the story of 536 AD - the year the sun 'disappeared'.
Will Self discusses how the pandemic has affected our views of inheritance.
Adam Gopnik discusses how the pandemic is bringing out our most conventional behaviours.
Bernardine Evaristo discusses how we historicise the past
Zia Haider Rahman reflects on the comment "If you don't like it here you can always leave"
Mary Beard asks: Has the iconic university lecture had its day?
David Goodhart examines our changing attitudes to authority.
Howard Jacobson takes a wry view of life under lockdown.
Rebecca Stott reflects on how it feels being out of kilter with time.
Will Self on the Great British Wipe-Up.
