Explore the history of magic and astrology with discussions on the role of the Magus in Renaissance Europe, the contestation between magic and science, the connection between alchemy and a magical worldview, the integration of diverse traditions in magic and astrology, the relationship between magic and books, and the rise and fall of Renaissance magic.

Hannah Durkin, historian and author of Survivors: The Lost Stories of the Last Captives of the Atlantic Slave Trade, discusses the Clotilda, the last slave ship to land on American soil in 1860, and its survivors' stories. Topics covered include the illegal slave trade, the connection between quilting and the Civil Rights Movement, the challenging lives of the survivors, and the importance of understanding the history of the Atlantic slave trade.

Guest Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukrainian president and former comedian, actor, and performer, discusses his journey from entertainer to war leader, shaping the narrative of the conflict, and his evolving relationship with the military in Ukraine.

Neurologist Dr. Richard Restak discusses practical advice for reducing the risk factors of dementia, including better sleep, diet, exercise, maintaining social networks, and intellectual stimulation. They also explore different types of dementia, the impact of electronic devices and social media on memory, and the importance of personal agency in dealing with the disease.

Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, and Helen Czerski, physicist, discuss the challenges of communication, the importance of active listening, authenticity, and understanding communication techniques. They explore the impact of effective communication in bringing people together and building closer connections.

Organisational psychologist and bestselling author Adam Grant joins Tim Harford to discuss achieving great results. They explore the reputation crisis in organisational psychology, the benefits of using NetSuite for task management, embracing discomfort in writing and language learning, and the contradiction between seeking discomfort and having fun.

Organizational psychologists Adam Grant and economic journalist Tim Harford discuss achieving greatness and hidden potential. They explore the role of character skills in chess, the importance of seeking advice, turning critics into coaches, and strategies for overcoming challenges and achieving deeper learning.

Columnist Sarah Ditum and writer and broadcaster Helen Lewis discuss how internet culture impacted celebrities during the early 2000s, focusing on female stars like Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse. They explore the complex portrayal of beauty and flaws in the media, the challenges faced by celebrities like Amy Winehouse and Daniel Radcliffe, the connection between Vince McMahon, Donald Trump, and professional wrestling, the shift in societal perception of women with the rise of social media, and a legal case involving celebrity intrusion.

Two formidable minds, Daniel Dennett and Richard Dawkins, delve into philosophy, science, and the intersection of both fields. They discuss topics such as the dangers of AI manipulation, the potential consequences of AI-generated counterfeit people, the power of intuition pumps, humor in philosophical books, meme gene co-evolution, and the origin and evolution of language.

In this podcast, writer and author Adam Nicolson discusses his new book, 'How To Be: Life Lessons from the Early Greeks'. He explores how the geography of the lands influenced the thinking of early Greek philosophers and highlights the significance of their impact on Western thinking. Nicolson also delves into the grandeur of emotions described by Sappho, the ancient Greek poet, and explores the concept of the world's breath and our connection to the cosmos.