Life and Art from FT Weekend

This week, we talk to harpist Mary Lattimore. Mary is known for her earthy, experimental music and has collaborated with musicians like Kurt Vile and Kesha. As she releases her new album, Goodbye, Hotel Arkada, she tells guest host Lulu Smyth about what it's like to compose and perform in a whole new way on the 47-string instrument.-------We love hearing from you. You can email us at ftweekendpodcast@ft.com. We’re on Twitter @ftweekendpod, and Lilah is on Instagram and Twitter @lilahrap.-------Links: – Mary’s new album Goodbye, Hotel Arkada is out now. – ‘Baltic Birch’ and ‘It Feels Like Floating’ are from Mary’s 2018 album Hundreds of Days. – Mary is touring a number of cities in the US, including Brooklyn, New York on November 3-5th. – You can follow Mary on X @marylattimore and Instagram @maryoverthere -------Special FT subscription offers for Weekend listeners, from 50% off a digital subscription to a $1/£1/€1 trial, are here: http://ft.com/weekendpodcast.-------Original music by Metaphor Music. Mixing and sound design by Breen Turner and Sam Giovinco. Clips courtesy of Ghostly International. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Andrew Lipstein, known for his novel 'The Vegan' about a hedge fund manager turned vegan, discusses morality and ethics today. They talk about the protagonist's journey and the intersection of capitalism and morality. The podcast also explores the link between money and morality and delves into the multi-faceted character of Herschel in 'The Vegan'.

FT's food and drink editor, Harriet Fitch Little, shares practical tips for hosting a perfect dinner party that you'll actually enjoy. From creating the right ambiance to serving the right wine, she emphasizes being yourself and foregoing homemade everything. Polite ways to end a party and enjoying your own party without overwhelming yourself with preparations are also discussed.

Shania Twain, country-pop sensation and one of the best-selling female artists of all time, discusses her new album 'Queen of Me' and opens up about her battle with Lyme disease, the enduring popularity of her album 'Come on Over', and her journey back to the stage.

Scientists are exploring how artificial intelligence can help decode animal sounds and translate them into human language. The podcast discusses the potential for two-way communication with animals and the ethical implications of this technology.

The podcast explores the challenges faced by the fine dining industry, including the closure of top restaurants like Noma. Tim Hayward discusses the need for a new business model to survive. They also discuss the impact of factors like lockdowns, government initiatives, and rising costs on the restaurant industry. The closure of a renowned fine dining restaurant is explored, along with the rise of pop-up restaurants and the importance of genuine experiences.

Fuchsia Dunlop, author of six books on Chinese food, discusses the misconceptions and prejudices surrounding Chinese cuisine in the west. She highlights the ancient roots and sophistication of Chinese food, emphasizing that it's "endlessly thrilling." Fuchsia believes there's much to learn from how people in China approach food. They explore the distinctiveness of Chinese food, the creativity of Chinese chefs, and how food serves as a portal into human relationships and Chinese culture.

Former museum guard, Patrick Bringley, takes the host on a tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exploring the nuances of the space and discussing how to appreciate art. Topics include the impact of lighting on people's behavior, the benefits of visiting museums alone, and figuring out if you like Van Gogh. An insightful and introspective episode.

Explore the politics of Italian food as the FT's Marianna Giusti and historian Alberto Grandi discuss the controversial origins of classic Italian dishes, the regional diversity of Italian cuisine, and the manipulation of food culture by right-wing politicians. They also delve into the significance of pasta and the simplicity of Italian recipes.

In this podcast, reporters Courtney Weaver and Stefania Palma dive into the story of Sergei Leontiev, an exiled Russian banker who fled persecution. They delve into the complex legal battles surrounding his case, shedding light on Russia today and how stories about who's good and bad are constructed in the West.