
Radio Oldie
The Oldie magazine’s podcast featuring discussion and debate around the lead features in the latest magazine, plus live recordings from our famous Literary Lunches. Presented by Harry Mount.
Latest episodes

Jun 23, 2025 • 35min
377: Emma, the Duchess of Rutland, in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Emma, the Duchess of Rutland, has lived at Belvoir Castle for nearly 25 years, transforming it into a going commercial concern and a comfortable home for her five children. On the eve of her oldest daughter’s wedding, she talks to Charlotte Metcalf about her book, The Accidental Duchess, her podcast and her sense of duty and commitment to keeping Belvoir a thriving concern for the next generation.

Jun 16, 2025 • 35min
376: James Holland in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
James Holland is an eminent historian who specialises in the Second World War and has numerous books, television programmes and a podcast to his name. He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about the forthcoming Chalke History Festival, which he co-founded in 2011, originally to raise money for a cricket pavilion. Chalke is now the biggest history festival in the world and James tells us what to expect from this year’s exciting line-up at a dangerous time when he believes learning lessons from history is more important than ever.

Jun 9, 2025 • 30min
375: Bruce Beresford in conversation with Harry Mount
Bruce Beresford, director of Oscar-winning Driving Miss Daisy, tells Harry Mount why films have got too long - and what made his great friend Barry Humphries such a comic genius

Jun 2, 2025 • 40min
374: Nicholas Coleridge in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Nicholas Coleridge, awarded a Knighthood in 2022 for services to Museums, Publishing and the Creative Industries, has had a long career at the helm of Condé Nast, followed by ten years at the Victoria and Albert Musuem. Recently installed as Provost of Eton, Charlotte Metcalf talks to him about his new role and they look back over his extraordinary career in fashion, publishing and journalism during the golden era of magazines.

May 23, 2025 • 34min
373: Graydon Carter in conversation with Harry Mount
Graydon Carter, editor of Air Mail and former editor of Vanity Fair, tells Harry Mount about his memoir, When the Going Was Good: An Editor's Adventures During the Last Golden Age of Magazines. He talks about his greatest scoop – revealing who the real Deep Throat was in the Watergate scandal – and how he nicknamed Donald Trump the 'short-fingered vulgarian'.

May 19, 2025 • 35min
372: Marks & Gran in conversation with Harry Mount
Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran are one of our finest TV screenwriting partnerships. They tell Harry Mount about their shows Birds of a Feather and Goodnight Sweetheart - and why Donald Trump would be perfect for an American version of The New Statesman.

May 12, 2025 • 47min
371: Theo Fennell in conversation with Charlotte Metcalf
Theo Fennell is one of Britain’s most renowned jewellers, having made his name in the eighties by attracting a new generation, including numerous rockstars and celebrities, to his colourful jewellery and witty silver pieces like the silver Marmite lid. Following a 2007 exhibition of his jewellery at the Museum of Mankind on Burlington Gardens, Theo became a champion of and spokesperson for his craft, encouraging people to see the beauty in beautifully made pieces rather than expensive, branded bling. He talks to Charlotte Metcalf about his life, his career and his latest - and very funny - book, The Glory Years: More Chapters of Accidents, which is the follow up to his first acclaimed book, I Fear for This Boy

May 8, 2025 • 14min
370: Sir Trevor McDonald at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Sir Trevor McDonald speaking about his new memoir, On Cricket, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on May 6th 2025.

May 8, 2025 • 12min
369: Adam Nicolson at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Adam Nicolson speaking about his new book, Bird School: A Beginner in the Wood, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on May 6th 2025.

May 7, 2025 • 11min
368: Angela V John at the Oldie Literary Lunch
Angela V John speaking about her new book, Behind the Scenes: the Dramatic Lives of Philip Burton, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on May 6th 2025.