
The Very Short Introductions Podcast
A concise and original introduction to a wide range of subjects—from Public Health to Buddhist Ethics, Soft Matter to Classics, and Art History to Globalization—by the expert authors of the Very Short Introductions series. For wherever your curiosity may take you.
Latest episodes

Jun 1, 2023 • 14min
The History of Emotions – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 69
In the episode, Thomas Dixon introduces the history of emotions, showing the complex nature of our emotions and how they have developed culturally.
Learn more about The History of Emotions: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-history-of-emotions-a-very-short-introduction-9780198818298
Thomas Dixon is Professor of History and Director of the Centre for the History of the Emotions at Queen Mary University of London. His research and teaching explore the intellectual and cultural histories of passions, emotions, love, altruism, tears, and weeping, especially in Britain.
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© Oxford University Press

May 25, 2023 • 15min
Nutrition – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 68
In this episode, David Bender introduces nutrition, a topic of interest to us all as we try to live healthier lives but one which can prove confusing due to the wealth of information and misinformation available to us.
Learn more about Nutrition: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/nutrition-a-very-short-introduction-9780199681921
David Bender is Emeritus Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry, University College London. He has authored and co-authored several texts on nutrition and his research interests have been in the field of amino acid and vitamin nutritional biochemistry.
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– Amazon Music: https://oxford.ly/3jDBK5Z
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– Google Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/34W2bvY
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– YouTube: https://oxford.ly/3kZF8Jh
© Oxford University Press

May 18, 2023 • 13min
Ancient Assyria – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 67
In this episode, Karen Radner introduces Ancient Assyria, a kingdom which grew to be geographically vast, socially diverse, and multicultural.
Learn more about Ancient Assyria: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/ancient-assyria-a-very-short-introduction-9780198715900
Karen Radner holds the Alexander von Humboldt Chair of the Ancient History of the Near and Middle East at LMU Munich. Her research focuses on the Assyrian Empire. Her numerous books include the five-volume Oxford History of the Ancient Near East (Oxford University Press, 2020-2023) as well as editions of cuneiform text archives from Iraq, Syria and Turkey. She currently directs archaeological excavations at Assur, an UNESCO world heritage site in northern Iraq.
Subscribe to The Very Short Introductions Podcast on:
– Amazon Music: https://oxford.ly/3jDBK5Z
– Apple Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/2SQQ79R
– Audible: https://oxford.ly/3yw0xSn
– Blubrry: https://oxford.ly/2IVCep0
– Google Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/34W2bvY
– iHeartRadio: https://oxford.ly/3vjowkl
– SoundCloud: https://oxford.ly/3nPvtoD
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– YouTube: https://oxford.ly/3kZF8Jh
© Oxford University Press

May 11, 2023 • 14min
Stem Cells – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 66
In this episode, Jonathan Slack introduces stem cells and how they can be used in the treatment of a range of diseases.
Learn more about Stem Cells: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/stem-cells-a-very-short-introduction-9780198869290
Jonathan Slack is Emeritus Professor at the University of Bath and the University of Minnesota. His work specialises in embryonic development and stem cell biology, and while working for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund he discovered the first inducing factor controlling embryonic development. He is also the author of Genes: A Very Short Introduction (2023, OUP).
Subscribe to The Very Short Introductions Podcast on:
– Amazon Music: https://oxford.ly/3jDBK5Z
– Apple Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/2SQQ79R
– Audible: https://oxford.ly/3yw0xSn
– Blubrry: https://oxford.ly/2IVCep0
– Google Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/34W2bvY
– iHeartRadio: https://oxford.ly/3vjowkl
– SoundCloud: https://oxford.ly/3nPvtoD
– Spotify: https://oxford.ly/3dxUJuP
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– YouTube: https://oxford.ly/3kZF8Jh
© Oxford University Press

May 4, 2023 • 17min
Infinity – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 65
Ian Stewart, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Warwick University and acclaimed writer, delves into the fascinating world of infinity. He introduces playful examples that show how children's views of numbers illuminate the concept's endlessness. The discussion traces the philosophical roots of infinity, connecting ancient Greek thought to modern mathematics. Notable highlights include Aristotle's distinction between potential and actual infinity and Cantor's groundbreaking insights into the sizes of infinity, revealing its profound implications across multiple disciplines.

Apr 27, 2023 • 17min
Marine Biology – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 64
In this episode, Philip Mladenov introduces marine biology, a field whose importance is ever growing as our oceans undergo rapid and profound changes due to human influence.
Learn more about Marine Biology: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/marine-biology-a-very-short-introduction-9780198841715
Philip Mladenov has 40 years of professional experience in marine and environmental research, teaching and exploration and is retired from his position of Professor of Marine Science at the University of Otago. He has worked with government agencies, politicians, and large companies to build awareness and strategic responses to climate change, environmental degradation, and resource over-exploitation.
Subscribe to The Very Short Introductions Podcast on:
– Amazon Music: https://oxford.ly/3jDBK5Z
– Apple Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/2SQQ79R
– Audible: https://oxford.ly/3yw0xSn
– Blubrry: https://oxford.ly/2IVCep0
– Google Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/34W2bvY
– iHeartRadio: https://oxford.ly/3vjowkl
– SoundCloud: https://oxford.ly/3nPvtoD
– Spotify: https://oxford.ly/3dxUJuP
– Stitcher: https://oxford.ly/3k9kEvH
– TuneIn: https://oxford.ly/3M7iMAU
– YouTube: https://oxford.ly/3kZF8Jh
© Oxford University Press

Apr 20, 2023 • 17min
Development – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 63
In the first episode of Season 6, Ian Goldin introduces development, the process by which nations escape poverty and achieve economic and social progress. This crucial process has been the subject of extensive examination for hundreds of years.
Learn more about Development: A Very Short Introduction here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/development-a-very-short-introduction-9780198736257
Ian Goldin is Director of the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford, and Professor of Globalisation and Development. From 2001 to 2006, he was Vice President of the World Bank and the Bank’s Director of Development Policy, and following the end of apartheid, Ian was economic adviser to President Mandela.
Subscribe to The Very Short Introductions Podcast on:
– Amazon Music: https://oxford.ly/3jDBK5Z
– Apple Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/2SQQ79R
– Audible: https://oxford.ly/3yw0xSn
– Blubrry: https://oxford.ly/2IVCep0
– Google Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/34W2bvY
– iHeartRadio: https://oxford.ly/3vjowkl
– SoundCloud: https://oxford.ly/3nPvtoD
– Spotify: https://oxford.ly/3dxUJuP
– Stitcher: https://oxford.ly/3k9kEvH
– TuneIn: https://oxford.ly/3M7iMAU
– YouTube: https://oxford.ly/3kZF8Jh
© Oxford University Press

Dec 15, 2022 • 11min
Happiness – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 62
In the final episode of Season 5, Daniel Haybron introduces the emotion most of us aspire to have—happiness—and how our pursuit of it impacts our well-being.
Learn more about “Happiness: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/happiness-a-very-short-introduction-9780199590605
Daniel Haybron is is the Theodore R. Vitali C.P. Professor of Philosophy at Saint Louis University. His research focuses on ethics, psychology and political philosophy, particularly issues of well-being. He is the author of The Pursuit of Unhappiness: The Elusive Psychology of Well-Being.
Follow The Very Short Introductions Podcast on:
– Amazon Music: https://oxford.ly/3jDBK5Z
– Apple Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/2SQQ79R
– Audible: https://oxford.ly/3yw0xSn
– Blubrry: https://oxford.ly/2IVCep0
– Google Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/34W2bvY
– iHeartRadio: https://oxford.ly/3vjowkl
– SoundCloud: https://oxford.ly/3nPvtoD
– Spotify: https://oxford.ly/3dxUJuP
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– TuneIn: https://oxford.ly/3M7iMAU
– YouTube: https://oxford.ly/3kZF8Jh
© Oxford University Press

Dec 8, 2022 • 11min
British Cinema – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 61
Charles Barr, an esteemed film studies expert and Emeritus Professor at the University of East Anglia, takes listeners on a journey through British cinema. He highlights the rich legacy of iconic figures like Alfred Hitchcock and the influential Ealing Studios. Delving into its historical evolution, Barr discusses how British films have shaped national identity and the challenges they face in a competitive landscape against Hollywood. His insights offer a deeper understanding of the socio-political dynamics that define British filmmaking.

Dec 1, 2022 • 19min
Behavioural Economics – The Very Short Introductions Podcast – Episode 60
In this episode, Michelle Baddeley explores behavioural economics, a field that allows us to understand our own decision-making processes and how this can impact our financial behaviour.
Learn more about “Behavioural Economics: A Very Short Introduction” here: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/behavioural-economics-a-very-short-introduction-9780198754992
Michelle Baddeley is an expert in behavioural economics and behavioural finance. She is currently a Professor in Economics, the UTS Business School’s Associate Dean Research and the Director of the Centre for Livelihoods and Wellbeing (CLAW).
Follow The Very Short Introductions Podcast on:
– Amazon Music: https://oxford.ly/3jDBK5Z
– Apple Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/2SQQ79R
– Audible: https://oxford.ly/3yw0xSn
– Blubrry: https://oxford.ly/2IVCep0
– Google Podcasts: https://oxford.ly/34W2bvY
– iHeartRadio: https://oxford.ly/3vjowkl
– SoundCloud: https://oxford.ly/3nPvtoD
– Spotify: https://oxford.ly/3dxUJuP
– Stitcher: https://oxford.ly/3k9kEvH
– TuneIn: https://oxford.ly/3M7iMAU
– YouTube: https://oxford.ly/3kZF8Jh
© Oxford University Press
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