Lea Ypi, a political philosopher and author, joins David to discuss rethinking democracy. They explore the purpose and justification of democracy, the role of coalitions, challenges and potential for international democracy, and the role of faith in politics. This conversation sets the stage for future episodes about rethinking the ideas that made the modern world.

Mary Beard, renowned historian and author, discusses the nature of unaccountable power in ancient Rome and today. They explore the governance of the Roman Empire, double standards in Roman society, Mark Zuckerberg's fascination with Augustus, parallels between tech titans and Roman emperors, Caesarism in contemporary democracy, and the absurdity of Roman emperors being deified.

Novelist Zadie Smith discusses the lasting impact of Charles Dickens on her writing and his presence in her new novel. They explore Dickens' anti-hypocrisy views, compare his work to Russian literature, and discuss the power of novels to inspire action and reveal human complexity.

David Foster Wallace, American writer and novelist, discusses his experiences following the doomed campaign of John McCain for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000. The podcast explores the impact of negative campaigning and the rise of technology, comparing the 2000 election to the Trump era. It also contrasts Wallace's authenticity with Trump's cynicism as political figures and examines the influence of Trump's controversial remarks on the current political landscape.

Novelists Adam Biles and John Lanchester discuss the timeless appeal of Animal Farm, exploring why it has retained its hold and what makes the characters so relatable. They also discuss other favorite political allegories, from The Wizard of Oz to WALL-E.

Andrés Verlasco, a politician and economist, and Lorna Scott Fox, a writer and translator, discuss the Chilean coup and its significance today. They explore the unexpected military intervention, the multiple crises faced by Chile in 1973, the fragility of democracies, and the symbolism of Salvador Allende's death. They also touch upon the controversial death of poet Neruda. A captivating conversation on history, politics, and memory.

Lea Ypi, author of 'The Handover', discusses the power of the state, the impact of AI on human-corporate relationships, and the need to understand artificial agents and institutions in our modern world.

The podcast answers listener questions about political essays and essayists, discussing topics such as civil disobedience in the anti-vaccine movement, challenges in finding time to write, the role of religion in politics, the impact of political parties in democracy, the nature of essays and the rise of good essays in current online publications.

Joan Didion, a celebrated essayist, discusses her famous work 'The White Album' that explores the fracturing of America in the late 1960s. She touches upon Jim Morrison, the Manson murders, and the search for truth amidst chaos. The podcast also explores the concept of chaos, storytelling, and the limitations of naming and conventional responses in understanding the world.

Susan Sontag, an influential figure in art, criticism, and the avant-garde, discusses her essay 'Against Interpretation'. The episode explores interpretation in art, criticism, and politics, examining Sontag's views on cinema and the overproduction of experiences. It highlights the impact of political system forms on outcomes, the significance of understanding the artist's intention, and Sontag's obsession with courage and the erotics of art.