Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
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Caffeine DreamA fascinating and informative listening experienceHas maintained its quality over the years. Other podcasts may briefly catch my interest, but I always return to this one
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SaslovIts a breatho-thonI had to leave the audience of this wonderful show, as even though it has wonderful topics, guests and the host, I could no longer (even though I have tried so hard) listen to the hosts breathing, huffing and, oh forgive me humanity, his mouth noises and swallowing. Come on guys, there is a mute button. Ta-ta! Love the show!
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Enda DirraneIn our timeA very informative podcast. Melvyn articulates his mind well and asks pointed questions, he keeps the experts on their toes in a sometimes abrupt, yet convivial way. The topics are great; even if the subject matter might not necessarily appeal to me, the discussion itself is so well done that I become interested. Zero fluff, excellent general knowledge source.
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The_TardigradeSolid stuffNothing exceptional, but there’s usually information here worth learning.
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Kudos KahooterOne of Few Podcasts I Listen to …Best guests & host— even if I’m not initially interested in the topic, they get me interested with just their conversation. I always learn some “nuggets”— even about topics that I know well. IF something wasn’t covered, listen to the “bonus time” afterwards & it’ll be. Great adult bedtime story or long-journey companion. P.S. Yes, Melvyn is sometimes annoying; but, so were your parents, teachers, etc & that’s often his job as host & to keep episodes to 45 minutes.
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Ty$on&B@tm@nThe best, hands downFound it years ago and been listening ever since. Not every topic is in my wheelhouse but most are and I think most inquisitive folks would agree with that. If you are a first timer go back and enjoy the extensive catalog.
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hollywoodbabylon6Please correct sibilanceIt is so distracting when half your English guests are hissing uncontrollably. Like nails on a chalkboard.
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He better MelvinMelvin is a sexist bullyI enjoy the panelists and topics in this show but Melvin is frequently a misogynist bully to women in this show. Most obviously he was revolting in his treatment of Helen Foxhall Forbes, from what I recall. He should be ashamed of himself and his producers or someone should educate him on how to treat women. Aside from basic politeness, he needs to do better as a presenter and a human being. He’s talking to people who know more than he does and regardless should show them respect
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GEFtheMongooseThank you Melvyn!Thank you for years of entertainment and information!
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Derek LattyHorrible sound editingDistracting background sounds of papers and people shuffling as well as overly sensitive microphones that pick up every piece of saliva and mucus…good information but so hard to listen too. Also host has that horrible upper class British habit of drowning the last part of a sentence and mumbling like a drunk monkey
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chicka-doodle-dooMichelangelo’s birth date is wrongIn your notes, you show Michelangelo’s birth in 1477. His dates are 1475-1564. And yes, it matters.
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mememe45610956734Always First Rate!This show is a national treasure, always smart, surprisingly so, a beacon for what media can be.
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MissSlimskysUniquely substantial and engrossingYes, Bragg can be grouchy and imperious at times and I wish the topics weren’t so Eurocentric but that doesn’t keep me from listening to this completely absorbing podcast. I learn at least one thing every episode that is so fascinating I have to share it with my (very patient) husband and friends the next day. The guests are almost always well chosen - not just experts in their field but usually passionate and clear in their communication. Bragg is good at guiding the discussion to a place that nicely balances academic rigor with compelling, accessible narrative. I even find myself loving topics I had no interest in before. I’m so happy there are 1000 of these - they will keep me engaged and learning for years!
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Rodeo ReaderAlways fascinating!This is the most accessible and intellectual podcast I have heard. I love the host and the guests and the topics. Even when I know nothing about a topic when I start to listen, I feel so engaged and instructed by the end of the episode.
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Johm taylorA for content but technically not easy to accessProgram content excellent, but bbc presentation poor. Hard to download and listen
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thaRosyFingertipsSmartest pod out thereMB moves his impossibly erudite guests through the discussion at a wonderfully brisk pace. Zero fat, a wealth of substance. A podcast for the impatient and intellectually curious.
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fromtexasbygodPainfully BoringPainfully boring discussion punctuated by an unprofessional coughing host too dim to use a mute switch that would spare listeners from hearing his annoyingly gross smokers cough.
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esdotroaThe best podcast.Melvyn, Simon, and Virginia have crafted the greatest educational podcast for adults that exists. Experts explain and then discuss an enormous range of topics for 40ish minutes. Melvyn is the greatest presenter (ever, of all time) a treasure for all the world to share. The best bits are when the academic philosophers start to argue, some really priceless moments. I recommend the art, philosophy, and history episodes are my favorite, but the discussions about books and authors have taught me a ton as well. And there’s a reading list available!
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LisaZolaGggggTrttt
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R_Lloyd86Humanism at its broadestCan’t fault this show for lack of ambition, words or enthusiasm. The conversational, meeting of the minds dimension of it is truly unique. But sometimes you wish you could pick and choose one theme and disregard just about all the rest. At those times (and they are not infrequent) you might as well be listening to a different show altogether…
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glcrnDisappointed with Twelfth Night discussionI enjoy the programs, but the Twelfth Night discussion was lacking. Gender and class were at the fore, but the great language of the play was hardly touched on.
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Lee-knowIn our timeThis is a general comment. Melvyn Bragg is by far the best host of any Podcast series.The topics are incredible and he is essential in keeping the experts on track. Experts are so immersed in their expertise that they easily wonder off at a tangent. Keep it up
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Linus95!Intelligent guests, insufferable hostBreggs is condescending and constantly interrupts particularly female guests. I listen because the guests are intelligent and interesting but god Breggs makes it difficult.
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SBMundyNEW HOST PLEASEMy favorite type of podcast is one from which I can learn. So many of these episodes sound incredibly compelling and they are subjects I’m deeply interested in. But for crying out loud— I can NOT get past Melvyn Bragg’s incessant interrupting. Each time I am constantly surprised by the patience of his guests because I cringe and seethe through the whole experience. When he is not rudely cutting his guests off and talking over them, he is breathing heavily open-mouthed into the mic. It’s a misophonia nightmare. It’s 2023, we can edit better, can’t we? I haven’t lasted one full episode yet, and now I’m simply unsubscribing. What a disappoint. Please send Braggs gently into retirement.
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wilhelmina a.Fix Tiberius link pleaseInstead of playing this episode, I get “Something went wrong. Try again later!” Thanks again for producing this great podcast.
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Amy MNNot Worth ItOf the latest five “available” episodes, only one is available to non paying subscribers. I’m inclined to unfollow and save myself the frustration. I only listen to aid in falling to sleep. There are better alternatives.
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ehneilLivelyI love to hear experts talk knowledgeably about subjects that they have considered deeply.
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itsdavieHiKids
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Gunshot Iguana1000Veritas Unitas & Caritas I think I have listened to 800 of these episode's Some of them more than twice, they really make you think. Command you to listen, I find myself taking notes as if I’m back in university. Melvin, congratulations on finding your stride and for another 1,000 steps into the beyond.
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Nikki 595Great podcastThanks for a wonderful podcast. The breadth of topics, the guests, and the pace/format is terrific. The additional reading gives an opportunity for a deeper dive if so inclined. Melvyn is fabulous. I learn so much and it’s inspiring to listen to the subjects being covered so clearly. Sincere gratitude.
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LittleOldMan14Great Show butThis a tremendous show, covering so many different topics. However, Melvyn’s patience seems to wear out and becomes impatient. I understand it’s a radio show but some of the subjects are so complex and comprehensive like green myth, there should be a part 2. Trying to get 3 scholars to sum up a Melvyn’s question in one minute doesn’t do the topic Justice, ultimately the answer. He’s looking for an exact answer but he can’t phrase the question to get what he wants… Melvyn is never the expert, he’s simply reading from the professor’s notes sent before the show. He needs to show patience and allow the discussion to evolve instead of acting out and treating these as job interviews. Sadly, Melvyn is quite rude, a bit narcissistic and a kind of a jerk at times… It is a brilliant show if you can shrug off Melvyn.
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KwakiutMelvyn Bragg is my “hall pass”My husband already agreed to this, and after listening to the most recent Iliad episode he asked for him to be his hall pass too. Permission granted.
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NuclearWintreheavy breathingThe conversations among the scholar guests are incredibly fascinating and if it weren’t for the host’s breathing and inane comments this would be my new favorite podcast. eta- i feel a little bad after learning that he has a collapsed lung and cancer, but nonetheless, the breathing is still distracting and could be fixed in post or even just muting his mic when others are speaking.
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Shauna347Love the topics- can’t stand the voiceSo many interesting topics, but cannot stand the voice of the host. Please open your mouth and enunciate your words. At times I cannot hear the guests over his heavy breathing. Let’s not even get into how often the guests get cut off while speaking. I want to love this show because the topics really are interesting, but I just can’t make it through listening to that voice.
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khsggetNah just got my hair done here hNah just got my phone here but my wife got my nails cut here kind thing but my husband got my haircut he got my order he got my
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Tim_MNFabulous podcast!Lots of good topics, super guest experts, and excellent production.
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obliger mamaWonderful!Fantastic erudite conversation and exploration of interesting topics. Quickly has become one of my favorite podcasts.
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Wrsullivan553Mitochondria episode one of bestI consistently enjoy this podcast except when they’re talking philosophy. But that’s just me. It’s engaging and I always learn something. The recent episode on Mitochondria was brilliant. Like Melvin, I found the experts’ explanations fascinating and astonishing!
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jainfLove the show, upset about the paywall changesI’m a huge fan of the show, but I was displeased to see that certain episodes have been placed behind a paywall recently. This only seems to be the case here on Apple Podcasts and potentially other podcast apps, since those same episodes are available online for free. The website version also does not contain ads. So essentially they’re charging Apple Podcasts listeners for the convenience of listening within the app where they are already running ads. Seems like a decision that will alienate users and put a dent in ad revenue rather than sell subscriptions.
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The Bespoke CMOThought provokingKnowledgeable guests well moderated by M Bragg. The conversation is lovely and engaging. I’ve enjoyed podcasts on subjects that I thought I had zero interest in EG King Cnut, as the panel always bring them to life. The outtakes are particularly engrossing.
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tkesquebhPerfect!Great topics, moderator and guests
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hermannkarlovichIn our pocketI love this show but hate the new subscription thing. It’s not that expensive but ALL these subscriber fees just add the heck up, and I just can’t pay; this means the show always hovers at the top of recently released pods and I rarely even listen to eps once they’ve come out from behind the pay wall, because they’re so far down the list. Is this really necessary? I mean Bragg is worth money but I’m poor and confused.
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yhdrybkpigrdchojfdwedvnuGreat Pod Except for HostIncredibly interesting and informative podcasts with great guests. The reason for only 4 stars is that the host interrupts the guest so often
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Russell gawatOne of the BestFor an 83 year old Melvyn Bragg still produces one of the best podcasts with the occasional jewel that is literally world class , the most recent one being on Cnut. He shows his displeasure for guests who waffle or refuse to answer this question and unlike most podcasts of the sort isn’t just about producing a book. We will miss him when he retires at 106 !
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AuroraV13Always amazingI just realized I’ve been listening to this podcast since 2011 and I still love it. There are so many episodes that I’ve heard time and time again and I feel like I keep learning new things. This show has been with me through thick and thin. Thank you to the BBC, its producers, and Mr. Bragg for this jewel of a podcast.
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scottD125Greed took overIt is a shame that greed has taken over a podcast I have been listening to for so long. 4 out of 5 episodes are now subscription only. Absolutely shameful.
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August ConsumerMercantilism has come to podcastsThis used to be my favorite podcast of the many podcasts that I listen to. I used to vote it as the “best podcast” when BBC sent the survey. Now, the podcast media, probably after forming conferences and listening to the attending consultants who see the wide and developing audience of podcast listeners now they have constructed a market of us and transformed podcasts into a tool for monetization. Well, understandably that is the productivity of the Internet. However, for me, the good from this now will be that I’ll listen less to podcasts, and I will pull the books from my library and read the classics. Thank you conferencing consultants for the stimulus to return to reading books.
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Timcookdoesnt CareaboutpeopleSuffers from SoundGreat podcast I like and value a lot. Unfortunately- I can't hear what your saying. There are not that many ways to make a podcast audible, especially for mumbling and the elderly. Please fix this. Thank you.
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Wordlover 107I really want to like this podcast …… but I absolutely find the interruptions by the host unbearable. The scholars slated for the podcast are just that … scholars. I’d love to hear more from them and less from the host. If one looks through the reviews, it is quite obvious that there is a history here. To the producer, your audience is pleading with you to do something about this obnoxious and patronizing behaviour …
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Music_Lv'rInteresting, well-informed, but rude (male) co-hostThough this is a very-interesting BBC podcast, with interesting subjects, and clean language (all of which I do appreciate much), its co-host ruins it, by being dismissive, and quite rude to his (female) co-hostess. He does not do the same to his male guests, and/or co-host. It is set in a “panel discussion” format, with the co-hosts (apparently 3 of them, one of whom is a female), this (apparently) main host frequently cuts off and interrupt the co-hostess in mid-thought, and mid-sentence. I don’t think she’s ever truly allowed to finish a sentence. His behavior makes clear he is dismissive of the (female) co-hostess, doesn’t care for what she thinks, or is (at the very least) an ill-bred man. I want to LIKE this Podcast, but his behavior towards her is an annoyance. Since I listen to Podcasts to both be informed, and for idle-time entertainment, his behavior makes this otherwise good podcast, intolerable to me. I’m unsubscribing🙁
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