Best of the Spectator

In this week's Book Club podcast, I'm joined by the writer and critic Laura Freeman to talk about her book Ways of Life: Jim Ede and the Kettle's Yard Artists. Laura's book is the portrait of one of those figures who, without ever quite taking the spotlight themselves, was nevertheless hugely influential in kindling the love and appreciation of art in others – a man who knew everyone from Picasso and Brancusi to David Jones and the Nicholsons, and whose home-cum-gallery in Cambridge has been a sanctuary and inspiration to generations of undergraduate pilgrims.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: Niru Ratnam argues that teachers are putting principles before children (00:59), Gus Carter discusses the curious business of fertility (08:14), and Graeme Thomson reviews Beyonce at Murrayfield Stadium (14:24). Produced and presented by Oscar Edmondson.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week:In his cover piece, journalist Mark Galeotti asks whether Putin can be outsmarted by Zelensky’s counter-offensive. He is joined by The Spectator’s own Svitlana Morenets to discuss Ukraine's next move. (01:08)Also this week: Journalist David Goodhart writes a moving tribute to his friend Jeremy Clarke, The Spectator’s much-missed Low Life columnist who sadly passed away earlier this week. David is joined by Cass Pennant and Freddy Gray, The Spectator’s deputy editor, to remember the life and writing of Jeremy Clarke. (12:52) And finally:The Spectator’s deputy features editor Gus Carter writes this week about the curious business of fertility. He is joined by Nimco Ali co-founder and CEO of The Five Foundation. (27:06)Presented by William Moore and Lara Prendergast. Produced by Oscar Edmondson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Remembering Martin Amis, celebrated author who recently passed away. The speakers discuss the impact of his novels and challenge the prioritization of non-fiction. They explore themes in his writing and his treatment of memoir. They delve into his competitiveness and desire for improvement, as well as the influence of Elizabeth Jane Howard. They also discuss 'The Zone of Interest' and address accusations of misogyny in 'Lucky Jim'.

Matthew Goodwin, author of the bestseller Values, Voice and Virtue talks to Winston about the divide in British politics between cosmopolitans and traditionalists, the controversy surrounding the National Conservative Conference, and the future of the Conservative and Labour parties. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: J. Meirion Thomas tells us about the story of the politician, the street trader and the foiled kidney transplant plot (00:57), Tom Goodenough discusses the blurred lines between sport and entertainment (08:30) and Adam Sweeting reads his interview with documentary-maker Nick Broomfield about the forgotten Rolling Stone (13:42).  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Freddy Gray speaks to Nigel Farage and Fraser Nelson about Britain's latest immigration figures, and what this means seven years on from the Brexit vote. Also on the show, Tim Stanley and Mary Harrington discuss the future of Conservatism; Paul Wood looks at Putin's warlord, Yevgeny Prigozhin; and will Tinder swiping be replaced by AI?00:00 Welcome by Freddy Gray02:24 Has Brexit meant more immigration than ever? With Fraser Nelson and Nigel Farage21:19 What do National Conservatives care about? With Mary Harrington and Tim Stanley41:29 Who is Yevgeny Prigozhin? With Paul Wood56:11 Will AI take over Tinder? With Jake Kozloski01:05 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dambisa Moyo is an economist, life peer and author of five books: from Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa to her most recent, How Boards Work: And How They Can Work Better in a Chaotic World. Born in Zambia, Dambisa grew up in a house where discussing politics was a regular occurrence at the family table. Dambisa has a large portfolio of academic qualifications from all over the world and has consulted both public and private sector bank. Having sat on numerous boards, Dambisa received a life peerage and in 2023 when she entered the House of Lords. On the podcast Dambisa talks about growing up in Zambia, six years after independence; her first job aged 23 at the World Bank, and her new role sat in the House of Lords. Produced by Natasha Feroze. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week:Spectator editor Fraser Nelson writes in this week’s cover story about how Brexit has led to Britain having more, not less, immigration – Rishi Sunak’s government is masking dysfunction in the welfare system by bringing in people to fill vacant jobs. To make his case, Fraser joins us alongside our economics editor Kate Andrews. (01:04)Also this week:Novelist Elif Shafak writes about the Turkish elections in the diary for this week’s magazine. Ultranationalism and religious fundamentalism were the real winners in last Sunday’s poll. To tell us all about it. Elif joins us alongside Spectator contributor Owen Matthews. (23:18)And finally:Is reality television ruining sport? The Spectator’s online editor Tom Goodenough writes in this week’s magazine about how a new trend of TV shows following sports teams is taking the joy away for fans. To explain, Tom joins us alongside our deputy editor Freddy Gray. (34:24)Hosted by Lara Prendergast and William Moore. Produced by Max Jeffery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's Book Club podcast, we're talking about a very new version of a very old book. Leo Africanus's The Cosmography and Geography of Africa was the first book to introduce Africa to the people of Western Europe. Part Baedeker, part-natural history, part-memoir, part-history book, it dominated the Western understanding of that continent for hundreds of years. Anthony Ossa-Richardson and Richard J Oosterhoff have just published the first new English translation in more than 400 years, and they talk to me about its tangled manuscript history, its mysterious author, and what it gets wrong about giraffes.     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.