The Audio Long Read

In a poignant exploration of Syria's turmoil, two friends navigate a landscape marred by sectarian violence and revenge killings. As chaos reigns post-Assad, interviews reveal deep scars and a refusal to forgive without justice. Munir and Enes, from conflicting backgrounds, face personal and communal tragedies while displaying acts of silent solidarity amid the bloodshed. A failed rescue exposes the brutal reality of survival, while warnings about a cycle of reprisal violence highlight the urgency for a new social contract.

Join stage and screen actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as he breathes life into Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o's poignant essay on language and decolonisation. The discussion highlights Ngũgĩ's reclamation of his Kikuyu identity and his Marxist activism, alongside the historical suppression of native languages as tools of conquest. Delve into the grim realities of cultural erasure in educational settings and the ongoing postcolonial privileging of imperial languages. Ngũgĩ emphasizes the urgent need for decolonised education that honors indigenous languages and fosters genuine knowledge.

Hettie O'Brien, a regular Long Read writer and expert on private equity's role in housing, delves into the fierce Danish backlash against Blackstone's housing acquisitions. She reveals how Blackstone transitioned from commercial properties to residential homes post-2008. O'Brien discusses innovative tenant resistance strategies, including the impactful 'Blackstone Law' designed to limit rent hikes. With insights into tenant organization, government interventions, and the tug-of-war between housing policy and investor profits, this narrative shines a light on the complexities of affordable housing.

The discussion explores historical successes in environmental action, like the ban on whaling and the eradication of leaded gasoline. It highlights the importance of regulation over market forces in protecting nature. Key events, such as the Donora smog, illustrate how crises can catalyze policy change. The podcast emphasizes the Montreal Protocol as a triumph of global cooperation against ozone depletion. Ultimately, it reminds listeners that past victories offer hope in the ongoing fight against ecological disasters.

Kirsten Smith transforms from a young heroin addict and bank robber into a scholar advocating for addiction reform. She challenges the prevailing disease model of addiction, emphasizing personal choice and hope. Her journey from incarceration to academia paints a compelling picture of recovery, education, and the complexity of addiction. As she navigates treatment barriers and societal stigma, Smith's insights shed light on the multifaceted nature of addiction and recovery, blending personal narrative with critical analysis.

Two comedians, Josh and Jack, embark on a profound journey from skeptical jokesters to priests, questioning the meaning of faith. Their friendship deepens as they navigate the challenges of ordination and the emotional weight of ministry. Balancing comedy with newfound beliefs, they grapple with ethical dilemmas and the sacrifice required for priesthood. The story unfolds their unique paths to faith, revealing how their comedic past shapes their spiritual future and the complexities of their identities within the church.

Explore the chilling parallels between historical mass extinctions and today's rapid carbon emissions. Discover how massive volcanic eruptions once shaped Earth's ecosystems and led to catastrophic biodiversity loss. Learn about the alarming rate of carbon release from human activities, which may outpace ancient volcanic events. The discussion delves into the potential consequences of climate change, including ecosystem collapse and toxic ocean conditions. Can we avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, or are we facing another Great Dying?

The discussion delves into how Netflix's algorithm shapes films, often resulting in bland, formulaic content that caters to broad audiences. Examples like 'The Electric State' highlight this trend, as narratives become overly simplistic to accommodate background viewing. The podcast also examines the impact of data-driven decisions on creative processes, pointing to a lack of raw data for creators. Moreover, it explores the economic motivations behind mass-appeal strategies and how exclusive distribution affects indie film financing.

Explore the fading memory of nuclear fears and the dangers it presents. The narrative dives into the horror of Hiroshima, detailing the immediate global shock and how the atomic bomb reshaped military and political thinking. Discover the contrasts between deterrence theory and the power of memory in preventing escalation during crises like the Cuban Missile Crisis. With collective nuclear memory waning, experts warn of rising contemporary risks as leaders break norms and treaties, heightening the threat in today’s world.

A football tournament in the Swiss mountains quickly turns disastrous as a severe thunderstorm descends. As the rain intensifies, participants face growing unease amid meteorological warnings. The chaos peaks when a massive surge of water and rock transforms the landscape overnight. Local heroes emerge as they improvise rescues and navigations through the wreckage. The aftermath reveals a stark reality of climate change, with communities left to grapple with the devastation and a heightened fear of future storms.