the in our time podcast discusses heaps of classics with a panel of experts, great way to hear what academics have been thinking about texts and the key themes they draw out. it's really chaotic because they have to get through a lot in a short time and the host (melvyn bragg) is always pressing them to give a straight answer.
the secret life of books podcast is also really good, they discuss the backstory and context of classics and how they contribute the books overall identity, but also its legacy.
i'm sure there's heaps more out there but these two are quite in depth when it comes to easily available literary analysis !
Nov 21, 2024
Related Recs
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sorry most of these are history podcasts bc that’s mostly what i listen to but there’s a range of topics
last week tonight with john oliver (youtube) - he recaps the last week or a specific topic in a very understandable funny yet educational way
conflicted: a history podcast - for something a bit more serious in tone - its deep dives into different events in history especially those that don’t get much attention
book club (bbc) - discussions of books with the authors and a group of readers - so many episodes going back years to choose from
slow burn - season long deep dives into events like the clinton impeachment, lead up to the iraq war, rise of clarence thomas
anthropocene reviewed - has a more hopeful tone - john green reviewing and explaining different aspects of the world like orbital sunrises
contrapoints (youtube) - tackles different topics from a lot philosohical cultural sociological perspective - love the video on twilight
us & them - talks about decisive problems in the us from both sides my fav episode is the gun divide
colorless wonderland (youtube) - my fav book channel hes so enthusiastic and has such unique book recs
the morbid zoo (youtube) - deep dives into horror and thriller movies from sociological cultural perspective - she’s so smart and and well read my fav videos are on civil war and sound of freedom
nice try! - exploration of design and its interactions with people history government and more - highly recommend the episode about chandigarh or germania
radio lab - tackles interesting questions that combine law science history sociology - my fav episodes are playing god and eye in the sky
the audio long read - podcast form of long stories from the guardian on a bunch of different topics
more:
- throughline
- philosophy tube
- 99% invisible
- the experiment
- longform
- what roman mars can learn about con law
- codeswitch
- in our time
- audacious with chion wolf
- story corps
- the daily
- ologies
Sep 29, 2024
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I basically only listen to these sorts of podcasts so hopefully these recs will be of use to you
If books could kill - very funny but also informed and thorough discussions of non fiction books - has helped be more critical about what I read and be aware of how authors distort facts and create narratives
Radiolab - investigative deep dives into a range of topics - I would really recommend the ep playing god
Us and them - deep dives into systemic issues in the us like gun violence
Through line - goes back into the history of various topics like the history of smell
Ologies - lighthearted but very informative episodes about various niche fields - I love the episodes on thanatology
Nice try! - focuses on the history of design and architecture that usually isn’t covered - really rec the ep about germania (Germany during and after hitler)
Conflicted: a history podcast - really rec the series in the partition of India
Natalie Haynes stands up for the classics - very entertaining recaps of Greek myths
Book club bbc - interviews with authors
Others:
- the experiment (the Atlantic)
- search engine
- you’re wrong about
- classy with jonathan menjivar (talks about ‘taste’ ans his that intersects with class)
- articles of interest (deep dives into fashion and history)
- in our time
- 20000 hertz
- longform (very insightful interviews)
- song exploder
- unexplainable
- the Anthropocene reviewed
- you must remember this
- 99% invisible
- the rest is history
- the great women artists
Hope you find some podcasts you love ❤️
Mar 26, 2025
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I think the first podcast ever? über academic but Melvyn Bragg is sharp as a tack.
Feb 29, 2024
Top Recs from @imi
my angel friend erin bought me this magnetic dog keychain in japan and its sooooo cute and i love it when it flips inside my bag and peeks out like a real handbag dog ! thank u erin!
Dec 21, 2024
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obviously a classic - and i obviously think "WOW! no wonder this is a classic" every time i read a classic HOWEVER... truly so incredible in its themes and imagery - betrayal, revenge, nature, god, no god, death, love, passion! i reread it for the first time since i was a teenager and i just cannot believe how powerful and disturbing this book is, i can't even imagine how scandalous it would have been.
one thing i love most about wuthering heights is how married human life is with nature and the environment. animals, plants and the moor landscape are intertwined with the two houses and the families. i loved the constant mention of dogs and birds throughout. so incredible and so wild. can't believe she wrote this and died.
Dec 4, 2024
so simple but so fun. the possibilities are endless! made one of all my fav things a few weeks ago. u should make one of all your fave things! 🎈
Nov 19, 2024