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
May 2, 2025 • 52min
What happens when the US declares war on your parents? The Black Panther Cubs know
Discover the profound legacy of the Black Panther movement through the eyes of the Panther Cubs. Hear personal stories of loss, resilience, and pride as they navigate the complexities of growing up amidst activism and systemic oppression. Explore the emotional toll of revolutionary parents on family dynamics, highlighted by intimate accounts of love, resentment, and longing. Delve into the lasting effects of U.S. policies on families and the power of storytelling to inspire resilience. Uncover lessons that resonate deeply in today's fight for justice.
Apr 30, 2025 • 32min
From the archive: The last phone boxes: broken glass, cider cans and – amazingly – a dial tone
We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: Five million payphone calls are still made each year in the UK. Who is making them – and why? By Sophie Elmhirst. Read by Emma Powell. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
Apr 28, 2025 • 30min
Many life-saving drugs fail for lack of funding. But there’s a solution: desperate rich people
Each year, hundreds of potentially world-changing treatments are discarded because scientists run out of cash. But where big pharma or altruists fear to tread, my friend and I have a solution. It’s repugnant, but it will work By Alexander Masters. Read by Tom Andrews. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
Apr 25, 2025 • 48min
In search of the South Pacific fugitive who crowned himself king
Noah Musingku made a fortune with a Ponzi scheme and then retreated to a remote armed compound in the jungle, where he still commands the loyalty of his Bougainville subjects By Sean Williams. Read by Simon Darwen. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
Apr 23, 2025 • 30min
From the archive: ‘I pleaded for help. No one wrote back’: the pain of watching my country fall to the Taliban
In this gripping discussion, narrator Serena Manteghi brings to life a powerful long-read about the tumultuous evacuation in Afghanistan as the Taliban took control. She dives into the harrowing emotions faced by civilians, especially women, fighting to reclaim their rights amidst chaos. The podcast reflects on personal stories of resilience, the dire plight of Afghan allies, and the overwhelming sense of helplessness felt both on the ground and abroad. Manteghi's narration underscores the psychological toll of watching a nation collapse.
Apr 21, 2025 • 48min
The real Scandi noir: how a filmmaker and a crooked lawyer shattered Denmark’s self-image
The Black Swan follows a repentant master criminal as she sets up corrupt clients in front of hidden cameras. But is she really reformed – and is the director up to his own tricks? By Samanth Subramanian. Read by David Bateson. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
69 snips
Apr 18, 2025 • 47min
Kahane’s ghost: how a long-dead extremist rabbi continues to haunt Israel’s politics
In this engaging discourse, Kerry Shale reads Joshua Leifer's article on the chilling legacy of Meir Kahane, an extremist rabbi who, despite dying 35 years ago, still influences Israeli politics. They discuss how Kahane's violent ideologies resonate with contemporary political movements and the normalization of radical beliefs. The conversation highlights the persistent threat of extremism in Israeli society, the unsettling proposals regarding Gaza, and the impact of Kahanism on political alliances, showcasing a dangerous shift in rhetoric and policy.
Apr 15, 2025 • 49min
From the archive: The great betrayal: how the Hillsborough families were failed by the justice system
The podcast delves into the relentless pursuit of justice by the Hillsborough families, highlighting their 32-year struggle against systemic failures and emotional turmoil. It explores the transformative power of family narratives in legal proceedings and the societal implications of the tragedy. The heart-wrenching personal toll on the victims' families is poignantly examined, alongside their fights against a seemingly indifferent judicial system. The ongoing quest for accountability and reform remains a central theme.
Apr 14, 2025 • 32min
My mother, the racist
In this thought-provoking conversation, Mark Noble narrates Didier Eribon's exploration of a complex relationship shaped by prejudice. He delves into the narrator's struggles to reconcile familial love with a mother's deeply ingrained racism. Mark discusses the shifts in her political beliefs, highlighting tensions and disillusionment. Listeners are taken through labor struggles of the past, revealing the emotional weight of working-class legacies. The podcast shines a light on how personal narratives intersect with broader societal issues.
14 snips
Apr 11, 2025 • 50min
The reluctant collaborator: surviving Syria’s brutal civil war – and its aftermath
A young man's harrowing transformation from aspiring actor to reluctant regime soldier amid Syria's civil war highlights moral dilemmas. The brutal struggle for survival unveils corruption and exploitation within military ranks. As rebel forces gain momentum, soldiers face new perils and defections. The aftermath paints a dire picture of life post-war, marked by inflation and loss. Communities grapple with their painful past, showcasing resilience in a society still haunted by conflict.
