
The Prospect Podcast
The brightest minds discussing the ideas that matter most in politics, society and culture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Jan 2, 2019 • 39min
Stanley McChrystal on Donald Trump
Retired US general Stanley McChrystal was at the centre of the news cycle over the holiday period. Having branded Donald Trump dishonest and immoral, the president took to Twitter to retaliate: McChrystal got “fired like a dog” by Obama and is known for his “big, dumb mouth,” Trump said. In our new podcast, recorded shortly before the row, McChrystal spoke about Trump and leadership, which in his view is a trait that we fundamentally misunderstand. His latest book is Leaders: Myth and Reality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 19, 2018 • 39min
Clive James on the real Philip Larkin
In this podcast Sameer Rahim asks Clive James: what was Philip Larkin really like? What was it about this very ordinary man that enabled him to produce such extraordinary poetry?
When Larkin died in 1985 he left a carefully curated collection of poems and novels but since then we’ve had shelffuls of letters—some of which James reviewed for our Winter issue—and biographies. How has our view of Larkin changed? Plus: your weekly dosing of politics. Produced by Jay Elwes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 12, 2018 • 41min
Martin Rees on the limits of the human mind
The Astronomer Royal joins Prospect to ask: How much can humans hope to understand? Our minds are finite but the universe is impossibly vast and always expanding. Are there some physical facts that humanity will necessarily never comprehend?
This is the terrain Martin Rees covers in Prospect’s new podcast.
Plus: Alex Dean on politics and Sameer Rahim on culture. Hosted by Tom Clark, produced by Jay Elwes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 5, 2018 • 40min
George Magnus—is China heading for a fall?
China is heading for super-power status—but will it get there? George Magnus, one of Britain's leading China experts, sets out the deep social, economic and political challenges that Beijing now faces. If it overcomes them, the prize could be huge. How likely is that? And what if it fails? With Tom Clark, Sameer Rahim, Alex Dean and Timothy Garton Ash.Produced by Jay Elwes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 27, 2018 • 35min
Have computers ruined chess? An interview with David Edmonds
Chess used to be the ultimate expression of brilliance and ingenuity—but nowadays, a Grandmaster would lose to the chess app on your smartphone. The philosopher David Edmonds discusses the triumph of computer power over humans, what it means for chess and for the world at large. Interview by Sameer Rahim. Presented by Tom Clark, with Steve Bloomfield and Alex Dean.Produced by Jay Elwes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 21, 2018 • 37min
Britain's Churchill problem, with Piers Brendon
Why is it that when British politicians look in the mirror they see Winston Churchill—just as French politicians, such as Macron, see Charles de Gaulle? The Cambridge historian and former keeper of the Churchill archive Piers Brendon talks to Prospect's executive editor Jay Elwes about the distortions of history and how these can warp our view of the present day.Presented by Tom Clark with Sameer Rahim and Alex Dean Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 14, 2018 • 34min
Alan Rusbridger on Oxford's biggest problem
An interview with Alan Rusbridger. He used to edit the Guardian newspaper and now he helps to run Oxford University. A degree from Oxford is a huge advantage in life, but it's still full of pupils from private school—so how can Oxford solve its "posh problem"?Featuring Tom Clark, Sameer Rahim and Alex Dean.Produced by Jay Elwes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 7, 2018 • 35min
A new voice in a troubled country, with Samira Shackle
Pakistan has endured decades of unsettled politics, extremist violence and war. But can a new generation of young political activists take the country in a new direction? Samira Shackle discusses her recent article for Prospect on the emerging voices in Pakistani politics which are challenging both the government and the army—a dangerous thing to do. With Steve Bloomfield, Tom Clark, Alex Dean and Sameer Rahim. Produced by Jay Elwes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 31, 2018 • 38min
The problem with British capitalism, with Paul Collier
Prospect speaks to Paul Collier, the Oxford economist, about Britain's London problem. The capital city attracts a huge amount amount of the country's economic activity and keeps the benefits for itself: how can Britain's smaller towns and cities get their fair share? Hosted by Tom Clark, with Steve Bloomfield and Alex Dean.Producer, Jay Elwes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 24, 2018 • 34min
Who is John McDonnell? With Kevin Maguire
The Labour Shadow Chancellor is Jeremy Corbyn's oldest political ally, but is John McDonnell the hard-left bruiser that his image suggests? Kevin Maguire talks to Steve Bloomfield about the life and times of the man who would be Chancellor and how training for the priesthood, working in factories and running a care home have shaped his world view.Featuring Sameer Rahim and Alex Dean.Produced by Jay Elwes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.