Free Thinking Podcast
Leading thinkers discuss the ideas shaping our lives - looking back at the news and making links between past and present. Fridays at 9pm on 麻豆社 Radio 4. Presented by Matthew Sweet, Shahidha Bari and Anne McElvoy.
Episodes to download
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Influencing History
Fri 5 Dec 2025
Matthew Sweet and guests ask who makes history and debate arguments in the Reith lectures.
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Marriage
Fri 28 Nov 2025
Shahidha Bari is joined by guests including Prof Diarmaid MacCulloch and Zoe Strimpel.
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Rocks
Fri 21 Nov 2025
How can earth sciences like geology transform our understanding of history and society?
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Revenge and Reconciliation
Fri 14 Nov 2025
In the week we mark the Armistice of World War I, Anne McElvoy and guests discuss revenge.
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The end of civilisations and societies
Fri 7 Nov 2025
Peter Hitchens, Rhiannon Firth, Neville Morley, Phil Tinline, Luke Kemp join Shahidha Bari
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Rational and Irrational decision making
Fri 24 Oct 2025
Anne McElvoy considers the value of irrationality with Lionel Barber and Bronwen Maddox.
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Traditions, roots and local pride
Fri 17 Oct 2025
Ex MP Penny Mordaunt's new book asks Why Britain's Traditions Matter. Matthew Sweet hosts
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The status of science
Fri 10 Oct 2025
Shahidha Bari and guests discuss the status of science in society and culture.
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What is a good life?
Fri 3 Oct 2025
Matthew Sweet and guests explore what it means to live a good life.
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Finding my tribe
Fri 26 Sep 2025
Anne McElvoy and guests discuss connections, divisions and creating new political parties.
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Friendship
Fri 11 Jul 2025
Matthew Sweet discusses the mythology, psychology and politics getting along with people.
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Censorship, editing and self-censorship
Fri 4 Jul 2025
Shahidha Bari's guests in a frank topical discussion include Rana Mitter and Nicola Wilson
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Christian faith, politics and culture
Fri 27 Jun 2025
Anne McElvoy explores the visibility of Catholic and Christian faith in politics & culture
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Failure
Fri 13 Jun 2025
From business to sport, politics to the writing of Samuel Beckett: how do we view failure?
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Podcasting difficult histories
Fri 6 Jun 2025
Matthew Sweet discusses difficult histories with 3 麻豆社 podcast hosts at the Hay Festival.
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Common Sense
Wed 4 Jun 2025
Ann Widdecombe, Rachael Wiseman, Sarah Jilani and Tiffany Watt Smith with Matthew Sweet
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Power: A User's Guide
Fri 30 May 2025
From the Hay Festival, Matthew Sweet discusses the many forms of political power.
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Peace
Fri 9 May 2025
In the week of VE Day, Matthew Sweet discusses what peace has meant since 1945.
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Community
Fri 2 May 2025
Post local elections and pre VE day events, Shahidha Bari explores ideas about community
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The Middle Classes
Fri 28 Mar 2025
Muriel Zagha, Prof. Sam Friedman, Lord Willetts, Lisa Holdsworth & Prof. Melinda Mills
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Evidence
Fri 14 Mar 2025
Lord Sumption, Danny Robins, Dr Sarah Dillon Dr Jonathan Egid and Dr Anthony Milligan.
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Uncertainty
Fri 7 Mar 2025
Chris Lintott, Margaret Heffernan, Liam Halligan, Tim Garton Ash, Victoria Donovan
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A pinch of salt
Fri 28 Feb 2025
A key preservative, the subject of taxes, a danger to plant-life - how much salt is good?
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Malcolm X, life changes and flexible thinking
Fri 21 Feb 2025
Timandra Harkness, Ekow Eshun, Sophie Grace Chappell, Richard Bett and Stephen Bush.
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All we need is love
Fri 14 Feb 2025
Susie Orbach, Armand D'Angour, Vittoria Fallanca, Mary Harrod and Catherine Wheatley.
Discussions and talks from the Free Thinking Festival 2019
Angry politics, what we can鈥檛 say, being diplomatic, weeping, emotion in music, film & TV
Click to listen to discussions, talks and music as the Free Thinking Festival 2019 Gets Emotional
Angry politics, what we can鈥檛 say, being diplomatic, weeping, emotion in music, film & TV
CLICK to LISTEN & SEE programmes from the Free Thinking Festival 2018: The One & the Many
We examine the fast-changing relationship between the individual & the crowd
CLICK to LISTEN & SEE all programmes, images, clips & features from 2017's festival
Free Thinking Festival 2017: The Speed of Life
