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
14 snips
Mar 17, 2025 • 39min
‘The ghosts are everywhere’: can the British Museum survive its omni-crisis?
Charlotte Higgins, Chief culture writer for The Guardian, delves into the multiple crises facing the British Museum, from colonial controversies to financial struggles. She shares insights from her extensive research, highlighting the museum's complex role in reflecting the UK's historical narratives. The discussion unveils the internal theft scandal and the challenges of artifacts’ restitution. Higgins emphasizes the urgent need for decolonization and the museum's identity crisis, raising questions about its future and relevance in today's cultural landscape.
18 snips
Mar 14, 2025 • 31min
Turkey said it would become a ‘zero waste’ nation. Instead, it became a dumping ground for Europe’s rubbish
When China stopped receiving the world’s waste, Turkey became Europe’s recycling hotspot. The problem is, most plastics can’t be recycled. And what remains are toxic heaps of trash By Alexander Clapp. Read by Philip Arditti. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
Mar 12, 2025 • 39min
From the archive: The end of Atlanticism: has Trump killed the ideology that won the cold war?
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 2018: The foreign policy establishment has been lamenting its death for half a century. But Atlanticism has long been a convenient myth By Madeleine Schwartz. Read by Kelly Burke. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod
14 snips
Mar 10, 2025 • 30min
Signature moves: are we losing the ability to write by hand?
The podcast explores the decline of handwriting and its impact on personal expression and communication. It discusses how technology is reshaping our relationship with written words, often at the cost of cognitive skills. The significance of handwriting in fields like medicine is highlighted, showcasing its importance for clarity and safety. The emotional connections we have with handwriting are examined, advocating for a balance between traditional and digital methods to preserve this essential aspect of human expression.
16 snips
Mar 7, 2025 • 32min
‘Here lives the monster’s brain’: the man who exposed Switzerland’s dirty secrets
Dive into the life of Jean Ziegler, a Swiss politician challenging the nation's pristine image while revealing its grim financial secrets. Discover his transformative experiences in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and how they reshaped his worldview on social responsibility. Explore Switzerland's surprising role in global capitalism and its banking secrecy laws, which facilitate economic exploitation. Uncover the moral conflicts of Swiss neutrality during WWII and the relentless fight for financial transparency amid lingering issues of wealth and power.
15 snips
Mar 5, 2025 • 25min
From the archive: ‘In my 30 years as a GP, the profession has been horribly eroded’
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Claire Gerada, a well-respected GP with 30 years of experience, shares her poignant reflections on the erosion of the medical profession. She candidly critiques how the focus on hospitals has compromised community care, leading to detachment from patients. Claire reminisces about her treasured home visits, emphasizing the emotional connections that have dwindled. With an eye on the future, she advocates for innovative care models to restore continuity and quality in general practice, urging a rethinking of healthcare priorities.
Mar 3, 2025 • 33min
Massacre in the jungle: how an Indigenous man was made the public face of an atrocity
A gripping courtroom drama unfolds as Nakosa Pio Sinta Larga faces accusations tied to a brutal massacre linked to illegal mining. A deeper look reveals the Sinta Larga's painful history of colonization and cultural dislocation. The community's struggles with illegal logging and diamond mining expose the challenges of integrating external interests while maintaining their identity. Highlighting the tragic massacre's buildup, the discussion emphasizes the ongoing fight for justice and the heavy burden of representation on Indigenous individuals in a landscape rife with exploitation.
17 snips
Feb 28, 2025 • 34min
Israel and the delusions of Germany’s ‘memory culture’
Explore Germany's complex relationship with its wartime past and its ties with Israel. Delve into how guilt and memory culture shape modern German identity, often masking deeper issues of accountability. The rise of far-right ideologies questions the effectiveness of Holocaust memorialization. Discover how these historical echoes influence contemporary nationalism and attitudes toward antisemitism and immigration, ultimately revealing the intricate dance between memory and identity in today's political landscape.
Feb 26, 2025 • 41min
From the archive: One drug dealer, two corrupt cops and a risky FBI sting
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee, a seasoned magazine writer, dives into the gripping tale of Davon Mayer, a small-time dealer in Baltimore entangled in police corruption. The discussion navigates Mayer's perilous decision to become an FBI informant, driven by a desire to protect his newborn daughter. Bhattacharjee highlights the intricate dance of power and vulnerability between drug dealers and law enforcement, culminating in a risky sting operation. Mayer's journey of redemption showcases his transformation into an entrepreneur committed to uplifting his community.
Feb 24, 2025 • 27min
Innit innit boys and Super Eagles: how Nigerian Londoners found their identity through football
Aniefiok Ekpoudom, a talented writer, reads a poignant narrative about Nigerian Londoners and their deep connection to football. He discusses the challenges faced by the Nigerian diaspora in the 1980s, bridging identities torn by colonialism and war. Through football legends like John Fashanu and Jay-Jay Okocha, he illustrates how these athletes became symbols of pride and connection for many. The conversation reveals how football has shaped community ties and personal identity among British Nigerians navigating their dual heritage.
