

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

Dec 7, 2025 • 35min
The Courage to Lead, with Sanna Marin, Former Prime Minister of Finland (Part Two)
Sanna Marin, the groundbreaking former Prime Minister of Finland, shares her journey as a young leader navigating immense challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and NATO accession. She recounts her experiences with media scrutiny, discussing the double standards faced by women politicians. Marin emphasizes the importance of collective action in tackling global issues and encourages young changemakers to embrace opportunities despite self-doubt. With a focus on the human side of politics, she advocates for increased representation of women in leadership roles to foster a more inclusive society.

Dec 5, 2025 • 34min
The Courage to Lead, with Sanna Marin, Former Prime Minister of Finland (Part One)
Sanna Marin, the former Prime Minister of Finland and world's youngest leader at 34, shares her journey through exceptional challenges. She reflects on confronting COVID-19, navigating the war in Ukraine, and the swift NATO accession. Marin opens up about the pressures of female leadership, addressing sexism, and her upbringing in a rainbow family, which fueled her commitment to equality. She emphasizes the importance of resilience and courage in leadership, offering insights from her new book, Hope in Action.

Dec 3, 2025 • 38min
Trump, Markets and The Greatest Crash in U.S. History, with Andrew Ross Sorkin (Part Two)
Join Andrew Ross Sorkin, a New York Times columnist and CNBC presenter, as he delves into the parallels between the 1929 crash and today's market. He discusses the dangers of inflated AI investments and the long-term value of infrastructure compared to tech manias. Sorkin draws insightful comparisons between historical figures and today's leaders, explores potential political fallout from a market crash, and warns against the risks of private equity valuations. Plus, he reflects on why nostalgia for the gold standard could lead to disaster.

49 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 39min
Trump, Markets and The Greatest Crash in U.S. History, with Andrew Ross Sorkin (Part One)
Andrew Ross Sorkin, acclaimed New York Times columnist and author, shares insights from his research on the 1929 financial crash. He draws parallels between the past and today's market, discussing the lessons we ignore at our peril. Sorkin examines the likelihood of another depression, the impacts of bailouts, and the role of national debt. He highlights the euphoria of the 1920s and warns about AI's economic implications. Listeners will find his analysis of policy mistakes and the opaque nature of private credit particularly compelling.

4 snips
Nov 30, 2025 • 30min
The Future of Prostate Cancer Care
Dr. Pedro Barata, an oncologist, explores clinical decision-making and the significance of genomic testing in prostate cancer. Courtney Budler, CEO of Zero Prostate Cancer, discusses the vital role of patient advocacy and community support. Tony Collier shares his personal journey with advanced prostate cancer, emphasizing the importance of peer support. The guests collectively highlight the shift towards patient-centered care, the challenges of balancing medical and emotional needs, and the necessity for ongoing holistic support in navigating this long journey.

7 snips
Nov 29, 2025 • 14min
The Specialist | Virgil Abloh’s Reimagining of the Iconic Nike Air Force 1 for Louis Vuitton, with Brahm Wachter
Brahm Wachter, Head of Modern Collectibles at Sotheby’s, shares insider insights on the groundbreaking auction of Virgil Abloh's Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1. He discusses the cultural significance of the iconic sneakers, reveals how Abloh's vision resonated with sneaker culture, and recounts the chaotic auction launch combined with personal life events. Bids soared beyond $126,000, raising $25 million for scholarships. Brahm also explores how this sale has impacted perceptions of sneakers as art and collectibles.

14 snips
Nov 28, 2025 • 37min
Why Do Authoritarians Want To Control The News? With Martin Moore
Martin Moore, a senior lecturer in political communications and director at King's College London, explores the global battle over news control. He reveals how authoritarian regimes manipulate media to shape narratives and propagate false realities. From China's Great Firewall to Hungary's media takeover, he showcases various strategies governments employ to dominate public perception. Moore also discusses the emergence of online influencers and the importance of truth-seeking initiatives that combat misinformation. This insightful discussion unpacks the precarious relationship between media and power.

4 snips
Nov 26, 2025 • 43min
What Does Test Cricket Reveal About the Legacy of Empire? With Tim Wigmore
In this engaging discussion, Tim Wigmore, Deputy Cricket Correspondent and author of 'Test Cricket: A History', delves into the evolution of Test cricket since its 1877 inception. He examines the sport's inequalities and how factors like race and infrastructure shape who competes. Tim also explores cricket's ties to the British Empire, India's rise in the game, and the coexistence of the IPL with Test cricket. Furthermore, he highlights the significance of captaincy, the ongoing competitive imbalance, and the unique rituals of Test fandom.

13 snips
Nov 24, 2025 • 48min
Does modern medicine need to drop the distinction between mental and physical health? With Professor Edward Bullmore
For centuries, mental and physical health have been divided - disorders of the mind and body have been treated as if they were poles apart. This deep-rooted division has shaped medicine, psychiatry, and society. But what if this mind/body split is not only outdated - but dangerously misleading?
Psychiatrist and neuroscientist Professor Edward Bullmore is Regius Professor of Psychiatry at Kings College London. For this episode, he sat down with Dr Güneş Taylor to explore the historical and philosophical reasons for our separation of mind and body in modern medicine. With a focus on the dark history of our treatment of schizophrenia, from 17th century medicine to the emergence of psychiatry in the 19th century, to the eugenics movement of Nazi Germany, he shows how the modern foundations of psychiatry were established, and how new scientific discoveries can help revolutionise how we treat mental illness.
The Divided Mind: Uncovering psychiatry's dark past - and reimagining it's future by Professor Edward Bullmore is available to buy now.
---
If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.
For £4.99 per month you'll also receive:
- Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts
- Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series
- 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events
...
Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99:
- Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts
- Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series
…
Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access.
…
Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more.
https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 23, 2025 • 1h 2min
Is Vivaldi Still the Soundtrack of the Seasons? With Dr Hannah French
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Hannah French, a broadcaster and musicologist, dives into the intricate relationship between Vivaldi's Four Seasons and nature. She explores how Vivaldi's experiences in Mantua shaped his work, the symbolism of birds in his concertos, and the unique psychological portrayal of each season. Dr. French reveals how modern climate challenges resonate with Vivaldi’s music and shares her personal journey of seasonal listening, advocating for 15-minute rituals to deepen our connection to nature through sound.


