Radio Oldie

Tom Hodgkinson tells Harry Mount about his industrious 32 years as editor of The Idler magazine. He talks about idling, his hero, Dr Johnson, and his upcoming books on the Stoics and Socrates.

Kate Summerscale speaking about her new book, The Peepshow: the Murders at 10 Rillington Place, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 22nd 2025.

Andrew Pierce speaking about his new book, Finding Margaret: Solving the Mystery of my Birth Mother, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 22nd 2025.

Sandy Nairne speaking about his new book, Titan of the Thames: the Life of Lord Desborough, at the Oldie Literary Lunch, held at London’s National Liberal Club, on April 22nd 2025.

Loyd Grossman is the writer, author, broadcaster, television presenter and cultural campaigner. He has served on and chairs numerous boards including the Royal Society of Arts, the organisation he currently chairs, which he sees as pivotal in restoring a sense of enlightened optimism to Britain. He tells Charlotte about his upbringing in America, his career in television and magazines, his books and his passion for heritage and churches. He also talks about playing the guitar, being in a band, trying to be a rock star and how his four wire-haired dachshunds keep him active and fit. 

Nicole Farhi is a household name as a fashion designer, having helped found French Connection with Stephen Marks before setting up her eponymous fashion and homeware brand with a popular concept store at 202 Westbourne Grove.  Now she’s turned her back on fashion to sculpt and has a new exhibition, J’Accuse, at Pitzhanger Manor in Ealing.  It comprises 24 of her signature small painted busts, of people incarcerated or executed for crimes they did not commit.  She talks to Charlotte Metcalf about the travesties of justice which inspired J’Accuse and why she abandoned fashion for sculpture.  She describes her upbringing in Nice and her time working in fashion before talking about her life now and her marriage to the playwright David Hare. There will be a discussion between Nicole Farhi and Matthew Foot, APPEAL’s Co-Director and criminal defence solicitor at Pitzhanger Gallery on 1 May. 

Lynn Barber, frequently nicknamed ‘the Demon Barber’, is one of the most multiple award-winning, respected and formidable interviewers and writers of her generation.  She tells Charlotte Metcalf about her upbringing, which was the subject of the 2009 film An Education starring Carey Mulligan as Lynn, and how it shaped her ability to ask those probing - sometimes combative - questions for which she’s known. She gives us insights into her happy family life until her husband’s early death and reveals whom she’s enjoyed – and not enjoyed - interviewing and talks about her love of art and artists, as reflected in her new book A Little Art Education.

Roger Lewis tells Harry Mount about his new book on Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor – and about the genius and sheer oddness of Peter Sellers, on his centenary.

Recorded live at The Oldie Journalism Course, at The Marx Memorial Library 13th March 2025, Elisabeth Luard, The Oldie's cookery correspondent, shows how you can make money out of your own Substack column.

Recorded live at The Oldie Journalism Course, at The Marx Memorial Library 13th March 2025, William Cook, The Oldie's theatre critic, gives you the ideal essay plan for a travel feature.