Intelligence Squared
Intelligence Squared
Intelligence Squared is the home of lively debate and deep-dive discussion. Follow Intelligence Squared wherever you get your podcasts and enjoy four regular episodes per week taking you to the heart of the issues that matter in the company of the world’s great minds. We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be. Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2. And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared today. Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.
Episodes
Mentioned books
9 snips
Jan 28, 2026 • 1h 27min
Happy Mind, Happy Life, with Dr Rangan Chatterjee
Dr Rangan Chatterjee, a UK GP and bestselling author known for practical wellbeing advice, discusses the science of happiness. He explores core versus fleeting pleasures. He outlines alignment, contentment and control as keys. He recommends simple daily practices, solitude, and small habits to build lasting mental wellbeing.
11 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 35min
Can Britain Become an AI Superpower? The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook (Part Two)
Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor at The Times, and Greg Williams, Editor of Wired, discuss Britain’s AI future. They debate energy and data-centre hurdles, startup scaling and late-stage capital, talent flows versus brain drain, and whether AI hype masks a bubble. Short, sharp takes on regulation, community pushback and which UK firms to watch.
22 snips
Jan 25, 2026 • 36min
Can Britain Become an AI Superpower? The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook (Part One)
Greg Williams, seasoned technology journalist and Wired editor, and Katie Prescott, technology and business editor at The Times, discuss Britain’s AI pedigree and whether it can claim superpower status. They debate compute and energy shortfalls, brain drain and scaling startups. They also explore sovereign AI, regulation strategies and the practicality of national tech sovereignty.
48 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 39min
How To Take the Pressure Off and Live Well, with Claudia Hammond (Part Two)
Claudia Hammond, a psychologist and broadcaster, shares insightful strategies from her book, Overwhelmed, to combat daily stress and overwhelm. She explores how technology blurs work-life boundaries and discusses the rise of perfectionism fueled by social media. Claudia emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and practical techniques like focusing on small tasks and taking micro-breaks to manage stress. She also reflects on her personal journey of rethinking stress and the significance of restorative practices in overcoming burnout.
14 snips
Jan 21, 2026 • 35min
How To Take the Pressure Off and Live Well, with Claudia Hammond (Part One)
Claudia Hammond, a psychologist, broadcaster, and author known for her work on mental health, delves into the universal struggle of feeling overwhelmed. She offers scientific insights and practical strategies to combat procrastination, perfectionism, and emotional avoidance. Highlighting the importance of intentional news consumption, she emphasizes managing stress and setting realistic expectations. Claudia also discusses the soothing effects of nostalgia and ways to create work-life boundaries amid today's tech-driven lifestyle.
39 snips
Jan 19, 2026 • 43min
Is Greece Becoming the New Borderland Between East and West? With Sean Matthews
Sean Matthews, a Greek-American journalist and author of The New Byzantines, dives into Greece's evolving geopolitical landscape. He explores how Greece's historical ties to Byzantium and the Ottoman Empire are shaping its future. With rising tensions in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, Matthews argues that Greece is pivoting back toward the Near East while maintaining its Western alliances. He also discusses the impact of tourism on Greek identity and highlights the importance of Greece as a cultural and economic connector between regions.
23 snips
Jan 18, 2026 • 36min
An Evening with Alan Davies (Part Two)
Alan Davies, a beloved UK comedian known for his role in Jonathan Creek and appearances on QI, shares insights from his life in comedy and TV. He discusses the impact of childhood trauma, including his family's reaction to his memoir, White Male Stand-Up. Davies emphasizes the importance of using personal experiences, even cancer scares, in comedy. He advocates for tackling difficult subjects with humor and notes how audiences have changed post-COVID. Finally, he reflects on the joy of live performances and the evolving landscape of stand-up comedy.
24 snips
Jan 16, 2026 • 39min
An Evening with Alan Davies (Part One)
Alan Davies, a beloved British comedian known for his roles in Jonathan Creek and QI, shares insights from his memoir, White Male Stand-Up. He reflects on his long pauses from stand-up due to personal struggles and the changing landscape of comedy for white male comics. Davies recounts a disastrous 1999 set that impacted his mental health and discusses the fears of cancellation in today’s climate. He also explores the upsides and downsides of fame, his experiences with trauma, and how his writing resonates with readers, helping them voice their own stories.
27 snips
Jan 14, 2026 • 48min
How is Artificial Intelligence Transforming our Relationships? With James Muldoon
James Muldoon, a sociologist and author of Love Machines, dives into the complexities of AI relationships, exploring how AI companions are reshaping human connections. He discusses the allure of AI friends and the dangers of dependence, linking the loneliness epidemic to the rise of these digital companions. Muldoon shares compelling case studies that illustrate the therapeutic potential of AI, as well as the ethical concerns surrounding unregulated interactions. Ultimately, he warns of the commodification of intimacy in an increasingly tech-driven world.
18 snips
Jan 12, 2026 • 37min
Julia Ioffe and Clarissa Ward on Putin, Russia and the Women Fighting For A Better Future (Part Two)
Join Julia Ioffe, a renowned journalist specializing in Russia-US relations and author of 'Motherland,' as she shares her insights with CNN's Clarissa Ward. They delve into the evolution of women's roles in Russia, revealing how historical events shaped modern aspirations. Ioffe discusses the remarkable stories of women who resist Putin's regime, including Yulia Navalnaya's transformation from political spouse to a formidable public figure. The conversation also highlights the ongoing struggles against traditional gender roles and the impact of past policies on today's feminist movements.
