The Audio Long Read
The Guardian
The Audio Long Read podcast is a selection of the Guardian’s long reads, giving you the opportunity to get on with your day while listening to some of the finest longform journalism the Guardian has to offer, including in-depth writing from around the world on current affairs, climate change, global warming, immigration, crime, business, the arts and much more. The podcast explores a range of subjects and news across business, global politics (including Trump, Israel, Palestine and Gaza), money, philosophy, science, internet culture, modern life, war, climate change, current affairs, music and trends, and seeks to answer key questions around them through in depth interviews explainers, and analysis with quality Guardian reporting. Through first person accounts, narrative audio storytelling and investigative reporting, the Audio Long Read seeks to dive deep, debunk myths and uncover hidden histories. In previous episodes we have asked questions like: do we need a new theory of evolution? Whether Trump can win the US presidency or not? Why can't we stop quantifying our lives? Why have our nuclear fears faded? Why do so many bikes end up underwater? How did Germany get hooked on Russian energy? Are we all prisoners of geography? How was London's Olympic legacy sold out? Who owns Einstein? Is free will an illusion? What lies beghind the Arctic's Indigenous suicide crisis? What is the mystery of India's deadly exam scam? Who is the man who built his own cathedral? And, how did the world get hooked on palm oil? Other topics range from: history including empire to politics, conflict, Ukraine, Russia, Israel, Gaza, philosophy, science, psychology, health and finance. Audio Long Read journalists include Samira Shackle, Tom Lamont, Sophie Elmhirst, Samanth Subramanian, Imogen West-Knights, Sirin Kale, Daniel Trilling and Giles Tremlett.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 18, 2023 • 34min
From the archive: Cholera and coronavirus: why we must not repeat the same mistakes
Exploring the history of infectious diseases and the importance of international collaboration. The ongoing cholera pandemic and the struggles for clean water in India. Discovery of cholera's cause and treatment. Addressing inequality in the global response to the pandemic.
14 snips
Oct 16, 2023 • 39min
‘Our health data is about to flow more freely, like it or not’: big tech’s plans for the NHS
This podcast discusses the risks and benefits of sharing health data, the challenges doctors face accessing complete health records, criminalization based on data trails, patient trust and opting out of data sharing in the NHS, and the controversial plans for NHS data hosting platform.
Oct 13, 2023 • 50min
The widow and the murderer: a friendship born of tragedy
Exploring the aftermath of a Basque separatist assassinating a civil governor, the podcast delves into the historical context of the Basque provinces, the personal journey of a former Eta member, and the complexities of victims' families meeting the repentant prisoners.
Oct 11, 2023 • 42min
From the archive: Was the Millennium Dome really so bad? The inside story of a (not so) total disaster
Explore the fascinating history of the Millennium Dome, its initial failure, and subsequent reassessment. Delve into the challenges faced during the project, controversies surrounding the design, and the dome's closure and transformation into the successful O2 Arena. Reflect on its impact on regeneration, job creation, and housing developments in the Greenwich Peninsula.
Oct 9, 2023 • 31min
The Melilla massacre: how a Spanish enclave in Africa became a deadly flashpoint
Tragic stampede at Morocco-Spain border, mistreatment of migrants, multicultural nature of Melilla, Spain's response to migration, aftermath of fatal crush in Melilla
Oct 5, 2023 • 32min
‘A huge heart’: the insatiable activism of Zimbabwean exile Patson Muzuwa
Zimbabwean exile Patson Muzuwa reflects on his activism against Mugabe's rule, his struggles as an asylum seeker in the UK, and the stark contrast between the lavish lifestyle of politicians and the impoverished state of ordinary Zimbabweans. He shares his personal hardships, experiences working odd jobs, and advocacy for asylum seekers and refugees, as well as his decision to not return to Zimbabwe.
Oct 4, 2023 • 30min
From the archive: ‘A body drifted past the window’: surviving the Ladbroke Grove train crash
A survivor recounts the harrowing experience of the Ladbroke Grove train crash, including witnessing the impact, derailment, and a body passing by the window. They also discuss the psychological consequences and PTSD. The narrator decides to participate in the public inquiry and hears detailed accounts. Another survivor shares their terrifying experience of being trapped in the wreckage and rescued. The investigation into the crash explores the history of the signaling system and the challenges faced by train drivers.
4 snips
Oct 2, 2023 • 26min
Empire of dust: what the tiniest specks reveal about the world
Exploring the overlooked significance of dust, including its impact on global heating, human health, and the environment. Understanding the obsession with cleaning dust and the historical significance of cleanliness in creating social and racial distinctions.
27 snips
Sep 29, 2023 • 29min
‘The Eurocentric fallacy’: the myths that underpin European identity
The podcast challenges the idea of European identity and discusses the misconceptions about European integration. It explores the concept of regionalism in the EU and the merging of civic and ethnic cultural versions of European regionalism. The podcast also delves into the role of print capitalism in the emergence of nationalism and examines the historical context of European identity and its perception of 'otherness'.
Sep 27, 2023 • 39min
From the archive: ‘Mama Boko Haram’: one woman’s extraordinary mission to rescue ‘her boys’ from terrorism
Aisha Wakil, with ties to Boko Haram, brokers peace deals and mediates hostage negotiations. She faces challenges as violence escalates. Mama Boko Haram's mission is to rescue 'her boys' from terrorism.
