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
Jan 1, 2025 • 33min
From the archive: The invisible addiction: is it time to give up caffeine?
Explore the intricate relationship between caffeine and daily life, uncovering its powerful effects on health and energy. Dive into personal stories of caffeine withdrawal, highlighting the challenges of quitting. Discover caffeine's rich cultural history, from aiding concentration in spiritual practices to shaping political discourse in coffeehouses. Learn how caffeine affects sleep and health, while reflecting on the joy of mindful consumption. This journey prompts a deeper understanding of our dependence on this invisible addiction.
Dec 30, 2024 • 46min
The rollercoaster king: the man behind the UK’s fastest thrill-ride
Discover the remarkable journey of John Burton, who defied his childhood fears to design the UK's fastest roller coaster, Hyperia. Learn about the intricate process of roller coaster design that blends art, technology, and collaboration. Uncover the whimsical challenges of naming rides while navigating trademarks and branding. Experience the emotional roller coaster of constructing Hyperia, from the technical hurdles of assembly to the thrilling moments of its launch. Join the adventure of transforming a vision into an exhilarating reality!
Dec 27, 2024 • 36min
Best of 2024: ‘If there’s nowhere else to go, this is where they come’: how Britain’s libraries provide much more than books
Ida Edemariam, a Guardian journalist known for her insightful articles, delves into the evolving role of British libraries. She highlights how they are transforming into vital community hubs, providing services far beyond just books, acting as creches, shelters, and language schools. Edemariam shares touching stories of patrons supported by these spaces, illustrating the challenges faced by libraries amid budget cuts. She underscores their importance as lifelines for vulnerable individuals, reminding us of the crucial human connections fostered within these walls.
Dec 23, 2024 • 43min
Best of 2024: As a teenager, John was jailed for assaulting someone and stealing their bike. That was 17 years ago – will he ever be released?
In this conversation, journalist Sophie Atkinson, an author for The Guardian, dives into John Wright's harrowing journey. She reveals the controversial Indeterminate Public Protection (IPP) sentences in the UK and their devastating effects on mental health. John's struggles with identity and rehabilitation highlight the complexities faced by youthful offenders. As he battles schizophrenia during his prolonged incarceration, the emotional toll on him and his family becomes evident, illuminating the dire need for systemic reform in the justice system.
Dec 20, 2024 • 45min
Best of 2024: ‘It comes for your very soul’: how Alzheimer’s undid my dazzling, creative wife in her 40s
Michael Aylwin, a seasoned sports writer for The Guardian, shares an intimate account of his wife’s heartbreaking struggle with Alzheimer’s. He discusses the profound emotional toll of caregiving, revealing how love and loss intertwine in the face of such a relentless illness. Aylwin reflects on the guilt and grief that caregivers often endure, while also emphasizing the importance of savoring the present moments. His insights provide a poignant reminder of resilience amid the challenges of navigating identity and connection.
Dec 16, 2024 • 35min
Best of 2024: Nairobi to New York and back: the loneliness of the internationally educated elite
In this engaging conversation, Carey Baraka, an insightful author exploring the lives of the internationally educated elite, highlights the alienation faced by Kenyan students returning from prestigious universities overseas. He discusses the tension between ambition and belonging, the historical context of elite education, and the challenges of reintegration into Kenyan society. Through vibrant anecdotes from a music festival and reflections on identity, he captures the bittersweet nature of navigating two worlds while searching for a true sense of home.
Dec 13, 2024 • 32min
Revisited: Two poems, four years in detention: the Chinese dissident who smuggled his writing out of prison
Liao Yiwu, a renowned Chinese dissident and writer, shares his profound experiences of smuggling poetry from prison. He discusses how his verses emerged from the anger of Tiananmen Square and the fear of cultural amnesia. The conversation delves into the silent resistance among political prisoners, who crafted words with limited resources to battle oppression. Liao reflects on the psychological toll of censorship and the struggle to maintain a voice in exile. Ultimately, he highlights the fragile power of literature against authoritarianism and the enduring quest for freedom of expression.
Dec 11, 2024 • 49min
10 years of the long read: Ukraine’s death-defying art rescuers (2024)
This podcast explores the heroic efforts of art rescuers in Ukraine during the ongoing conflict. Hear the story of historian Leonid Marischak, who risks everything to protect vital cultural heritage from destruction. Listen as the challenges of evacuating invaluable artifacts come to life, along with the emotional toll on those involved. The resilience of the Ukrainian people amidst chaos is starkly highlighted, showing how culture intertwines with national identity in times of crisis.
Dec 9, 2024 • 40min
10 years of the long read: ‘All that we had is gone’: my lament for war-torn Khartoum (2023)
Nesrine Malik, the author of "All That We Had Is Gone," shares her poignant reflections on the devastation in war-torn Khartoum. She recounts her family's harrowing experiences of displacement and the emotional toll of separation amidst chaos. The discussion contrasts the city's peaceful past with its current turmoil, illustrating the cultural and social losses suffered by its people. Malik captures the haunting memories of a vibrant community now overshadowed by violence, shedding light on the profound impact of conflict on human lives.
4 snips
Dec 6, 2024 • 33min
A new nuclear arms race is beginning. It will be far more dangerous than the last one
Jessica T. Matthews, a prominent author and expert on nuclear policy, delves into the alarming resurgence of global nuclear tensions in this discussion. She examines the precarious state of arms control amid threats from Russia and China's fast-tracked weapons programs. Matthews warns of the risks associated with expiring treaties like New START and the dire implications of a modernized nuclear arsenal. She emphasizes the urgent need for diplomatic solutions as the world teeters on the brink of a new and far more dangerous arms race.
