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
Apr 9, 2025 • 34min
From the archive: Votes for children! Why we should lower the voting age to six
Imagine a world where six-year-olds can vote! This thought-provoking discussion dives into the radical idea of lowering the voting age. It challenges conventional wisdom on children's roles in democracy and highlights the deep generational divides affecting today's political landscape. The conversation critiques outdated competence standards and argues for the importance of including young voices in decision-making. Could empowering children with voting rights reshape democracy for the better? Tune in to explore this intriguing possibility!
16 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 39min
The Rainham volcano: a waste dump is constantly on fire in east London. Why will no one stop it?
In East London, a shocking story unfolds as an 11-year-old boy suffers severe burns from a neglected crater at Arnold's Field. Residents live in constant fear of toxic fires and pollution from illegally dumped waste that poisons their air and health. The site’s grim transformation from gravel pit to hazardous dump highlights failures in waste management and accountability. Community efforts intensify to demand action against illegal dumping and to combat the troubling health effects impacting their lives.
Apr 4, 2025 • 30min
It came from outer space: the meteorite that landed in a Cotswolds cul-de-sac
In a remarkable tale, a meteorite crash-lands in a Cotswold neighborhood, igniting excitement among both scientists and locals. The collaborative recovery effort unveils insights into our planet's origins. As stories unfold, the podcast delves into how such celestial events resonate with communities, blending the extraordinary with everyday life. Personal anecdotes highlight the wonder and shared memories inspired by these rare occurrences, revealing how humanity connects with the cosmos through shared experiences.
16 snips
Apr 2, 2025 • 37min
From the archive: ‘The treeline is out of control’: how the climate crisis is turning the Arctic green
Explore how climate change is transforming the Arctic landscape, with trees encroaching on ancient tundra. Discover the impact on indigenous Sami culture, especially their traditional reindeer herding practices. A personal narrative highlights the urgent struggles faced by the Sami against rising temperatures and industrial pressures. The vivid imagery of life in Cauticeno contrasts serene herding with modern challenges. Dive into the emotional and cultural significance of these shifts, revealing the delicate balance between tradition and environmental change.
Mar 31, 2025 • 25min
Holidays in hell: summer camp with Russia’s forgotten children
Howard Amos, author and volunteer, shares his harrowing experiences at a Russian orphanage for disabled children. He delves into the grim realities, including the use of antipsychotics and violence by staff. Amos reflects on the emotional deprivation faced by the children and the tragic drowning of a young boy, shedding light on the harsh conditions and systemic neglect. He discusses the fleeting improvements seen in living conditions, yet highlights the ongoing emotional void that persists in the lives of these forgotten children.
10 snips
Mar 28, 2025 • 39min
The savage suburbia of Helen Garner: ‘I wanted to dong Martin Amis with a bat’
The podcast delves into Helen Garner's literary journey over the past 50 years, reflecting on her notable honesty and societal insights. It shares her feelings of alienation within the British literary scene and the emotional complexities of aging. Garner discusses the delicate balance of memoir writing, examining how personal narratives affect relationships. Additionally, it highlights her self-reflection through diary writing as a means of finding joy and resilience while grappling with the challenges of memory and identity.
19 snips
Mar 26, 2025 • 43min
From the archive: Is society coming apart?
Jill Lepore, an acclaimed author, dives into the evolution of societal concepts in a post-pandemic world. She discusses how COVID-19 illuminated the relationship between society and government, revealing the erosion of connection amid deregulation. Lepore highlights community resilience and the impact of economic inequality on social cohesion. The talk also explores the New Left’s quest for social justice, contrasting philosophical perspectives while stressing the need for a renewed social contract to foster genuine connections in modern society.
4 snips
Mar 24, 2025 • 38min
The Coventry experiment: why were Indian women in Britain given radioactive food without their consent?
A shocking revelation from the 1960s emerges as Indian women in Britain were unwittingly subjected to radioactive food testing. This exploration of the Coventry Experiment highlights urgent ethical questions surrounding informed consent and the painful legacy of racial disparities in healthcare. Delving into the aftermath, it amplifies the voices of marginalized communities seeking justice and sheds light on the deep mistrust born from historical medical abuses and paternalism.
6 snips
Mar 21, 2025 • 27min
My life as a prison officer: ‘It wasn’t just the smell that hit you. It was the noise’
Alex South, a former prison officer and author, shares his gripping insights into life behind bars. He highlights the overwhelming sensory experiences and emotional toll of the job. South discusses the troubling reality of acutely mentally ill inmates in segregation units, revealing how both inmates and prison staff struggle in such chaotic environments. He emphasizes systemic failures that lead to violence and overcrowding, calling for urgent reforms in the prison system. His candid anecdotes shed light on a world many rarely see.
Mar 19, 2025 • 37min
From the archive: The revolt against liberalism: what’s driving Poland and Hungary’s nativist turn?
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 2021: For the hardline conservatives ruling Poland and Hungary, the transition from communism to liberal democracy was a mirage. They fervently believe a more decisive break with the past is needed to achieve national liberation By Nicholas Mulder. Read by Tanya Cubric. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
