Podcast

Spectator Out Loud

Each week, several of the Spectator’s writers read their magazine articles out loud.

Each week, several of the Spectator’s writers read their magazine articles out loud.

Spectator Out Loud

Douglas Murray, Katy Balls, James Walton

On this week’s episode, Douglas Murray examines the left’s tactics of victimhood in the wake of the Labour conference. (00:48) Then James Walton gives us his review of the new Bond film, No Time to Die. (08:34) And finally, Katy Balls talks about how the CO2 shortage could lead to a lack of her beloved

Play 15 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Katy Balls, Nicola Christie, Hannah Tomes

On this week’s episode, Katy Balls gives us her thoughts on the importance of Keir Starmer’s performance this weekend at the Labour Party Conference. (00:54) Then Nicola Christie raises the curtain on the exciting new wave of British musical theatre. (06:53) And finally, Hannah Tomes talks about why Facebook won’t let her post about the

Play -1 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Fraser Nelson, Michela Wrong and Mark Mason

On this week’s episode, Fraser Nelson starts by reading the leader. Britain has a labour shortage and our immigration system is a mess – why not have an amnesty for migrants without legal status? (01:00) Michela Wrong is on next. She found herself in the sights of Rwandan President Paul Kagame after she wrote a

Play 25 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Christina Lamb, Simon Clarke and Hannah Moore

On this week’s episode, Christina Lamb reads her letter from Kabul about the situation on the ground under the new Taliban control (00:56). Simon Clarke makes the case for Covid boosters (06:19). And Hannah Moore talks about the horrors of so-called ‘American’ sweet shops in the West End (15:18).

Play 21 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Kate Andrews, Mary Wakefield and Caroline Crampton

On this week’s episode, Kate Andrews argues that the government’s social care reform plans simply don’t add up (00:55). Mary Wakefield makes the case for church doors to reopen (06:55) and Caroline Crampton reviews Tom Chivers’s new book, London Clay (13:25).

Play 19 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Sascha O’Sullivan, Ian Williams and Toby Young

On this episode, Aussie journalist Sascha O’Sullivan begs to be let home (00:50); Ian Williams wonders whether China is experiencing its own MeToo moment (04:25); and Toby Young on his trip up north with his two boys (11:35).

Play 16 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Lara Prendergast, Cindy Yu and Gus Carter

On this week’s episode, Lara Prendergast asks if it’s so wrong to talk about whether the Covid vaccine affects periods. (01:05) Cindy Yu says China’s ‘zero Covid’ strategy can’t last. (06:50) And finally, Gus Carter spends an hour in a sensory deprivation tank. (13:05)

Play 17 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Jonathan Miller, Matthew Lynn and Melissa Kite

On this week’s episode, Jonathan Miller, author of France, a Nation on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown talks about the French ‘vaccine passport’ protests; Financial columnist Matthew Lynn reflects on 50 years without the gold standard; and Melissa Kite tells us about her own ways of treating Covid.

Play 19 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Andy Owen, Mary Wakefield and Toby Young

On this week’s episode, former intelligence officer Andy Owen gives his reflections on where we went wrong in Afghanistan – based on what he saw on the ground; Spectator columnist Mary Wakefield talks about the rise in neighbourhood crime; and Toby Young asks – why have my suits shrunk in lockdown?

Play 20 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Charlotte Eagar, Lionel Shriver and Tom Ough

This week we’ll hear Charlotte Eagar on how the arrival of the alpha migrants may be the solution to our labour shortage (00:56), Lionel Shriver on her bewilderment about people still having the Covid app (07:09) and finally Tom Ough’s brief history of bidets (15:40).

Play 19 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Katy Balls, Douglas Murray and Nigel Farndale

This week we’ll hear Katy Balls on the government’s dwindling COVID optimism (00:41), Douglas Murray’s prediction of a dull decade of arrested development (04:26) and finally Nigel Farndale of why we owe so much of what we love about the Olympics to the Nazis (12:50).

Play 22 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Olivia Potts, Rory Sutherland and Tanya Gold

On this week’s episode, Olivia Potts says angry chefs could soon get their comeuppance. (00:56) Then, Rory Sutherland says over-qualification is leading to collective idiocy. (06:28) And finally, Tanya Gold wonders why people eat lobsters. (10:16)

Play 14 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Revd Marcus Walker, Douglas Murray and Petronella Wyatt

On this week’s episode: Revd Marcus Walker shares his concern and disapproval at being described by the Church of England as an ‘Key Limiting Factor’ (00:26). Then Douglas Murray looks at the tricky subject of transracialism (09:48)And finally Petronella Wyatt gives her two cents on modern day Westminster culture (17:15). Presented by Sam Holmes

Play 24 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Isabel Oakeshott, Melanie McDonagh and Jon Day

On this week’s episode: Journalist Isabel Oakeshott on how she let the Matt Hancock scandal slip through her fingers a week before it turned up in The Sun (00:59). We’ll also be joined by Melanie McDonagh who’s written about how high tea has gone from an affordable British staple to and oversized and overpriced, still

Play 15 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Jessica Douglas-Home, Paul Wood, Andrew Watts

On this week’s episode, Jessica Douglas-Home wants to know why modern British architecture is just so ugly. (01:03) After, Paul Wood warns what Western withdrawal means for Afghanistan (09:23) and finally Andrew Watts explores the history of the ever-updated Pride flag. (19:23) Presented by Cindy Yu

Play 23 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Max Pemberton, Andrew Watts, Ysenda Maxtone Graham

On this week’s episode, Dr Max Pemberton explains that while just as many people are seeing their GP as before the pandemic, something has changed. (00:55) After, Andrew Watts argues that you shouldn’t buy a second home in Cornwall. (09:15) Ysenda Maxtone Graham finishes the episode, lamenting the loss of indoor singing. (14:00)

Play 20 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Chris Daw, Lionel Shriver and Sam Russell

On this episode: Chris Daw QC on the blame game that surrounds the Hillsborough disaster and why it’s time to move on (01:00); Lionel Shriver suggests we should just give Scottish nationalists what they want and watch the chaos unfold (07:40); and Sam Russell, the Spectator’s new broadcast producer, talks about how book lovers are

Play 21 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Lisa Bjurwald, Douglas Murray and Stuart Jeffries

On this week’s episode, Lisa Bjurwald reports on the Swedish monarchy going woke (01:20); Douglas Murray argues that the culture wars fit the UK even less well than the US (07:00); and Stuart Jeffries interviews the world’s first AI artist. Also on the podcast: a complaints letter to the Times after their March 2020 story

Play 29 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Richard Dobbs, Tanya Gold and Rory Sutherland

In this episode, Richard Dobbs reads his piece on why he’s considering giving up his second vaccine for people more in need (00:55); Tanya Gold reports from her Kent road trip in a Ferrari (07:50); and Rory Sutherland on the unexpected joys of lockdown and why we may miss it when it’s gone. (12:45)

Play 17 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Leo McKinstry, Emily Hill and Daisy Dunn

On this week’s episode, Leo McKinstry starts by arguing that having to sell the family home to pay for social care is not an injustice. (00:50) Then, Emily Hill reads her piece. She’s not looking forward to the return of hugging. (08:00) Daisy Dunn finishes the podcast by examining the underappreciated art of asparagus. (12:30)

Play 19 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Leading article, Fiona Mountford, Laurie Graham and Isabel Hardman

On this week’s episode, Fraser Nelson starts by reading our leading article: the Prime Minister promised ‘data, not dates’, so should we reopen before 21 June? (01:15) Fiona Mountford is on next, saying she’s had enough of corporate faux-friendliness. (07:20) Laurie Graham reads her piece afterwards, wondering what to put in her Covid time capsule.

Play 24 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Roddy McDougall, Theo Zenou, Gus Carter and Toby Young

On this week’s episode, Roddy McDougall remembers heroes of the speedway, (01:15) Theo Zanou examines at Stanley Kubrick’s fascination with Napoleon, (07:20) Gus Carter looks at a memorial to everyday heroism, (17:20) and Toby Young explains what’s wrong with Equity’s anti-racism guidelines. (21:35)

Play 23 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Jonathan Dimbleby, Katja Hoyer and Melissa Kite

On this week’s episode, broadcaster Jonathan Dimbleby reads his diary (00:55), journalist Katja Hoyer reports on the German Greens and their poll surge (06:25) and Melissa Kite on why she’s perfectly happy to stay in the country this summer (12:05).

Play 17 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Ian Williams, Fiona Mountford and Deborah Ross

On this episode, author and journalist Ian Williams starts by looks at how China is using tech to expand its reach. (00:45) Then, Fiona Mountford reflects on how to deal with grief. (12:00) Finally, Deborah Ross reviews the Oscar-nominated Promising Young Woman, ‘a wonderfully clever, darkly funny, stomach-knotting’ revenge-thriller. (18:10)

Play 23 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Philip Eade, Dominic Green, Anshel Pfeffer and Lionel Shriver

On this week’s episode, Philip Eade, biographer to Prince Philip, reads his obituary of the Prince. We’re also joined by Dominic Green, Spectator USA’s Life and Arts Editor, who reads his article on Prince Harry’s new job. Anshel Pfeffer reports on life in Israel under the vaccine passport; and Lionel Shriver on the West’s self-doubt

Play 32 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Carlo Rovelli, David Abulafia and Laura Freeman

On this episode, writer and physicist Carlo Rovelli, ponder time and space in a world were the meaning of both has shifted. (01:00) Then, David Abulafia talks about the need for conservatives at universities. (07:29) Finally, Laura Freeman gets us ready for easter with the stories and the art depicting St Veronica. (15:27)

Play 26 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Katja Hoyer, Fraser Nelson and Toby Young

On this episode, Katja Hoyer looks at Ursula von der Leyen past mistakes. (00:45) Then, Fraser Nelson says the Defence Review could be a sign that Britain is learning from its foreign policy failings. (04:10) Finally, Toby Young explains the downsides to owning a small dog. (13:05)

Play 18 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Leading article, Douglas Murray and Philip Hensher

On this episode, Cindy Yu starts by reading the leader – The Spectator has a fight on it’s hands as the Scottish Crown Office threatens a six-figure fine. (01:30) Then, Douglas Murray says the Church of England has morphed beyond recognition. (06:40) Finally, Philip Hensher says Jordan Peterson’s new book, Beyond Order, is ‘pretty odd’. (15:05)

Play 26 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Anil Bhoyrul, Lionel Shriver and Melissa Kite

On this episode, Anil Bhoyrul starts by asking if it’s racist to wonder what colour your child’s skin will be. (01:05) Lionel Shriver is up next, and says the West has used China’s totalitarian tactics to suppress Covid. (05:05) Melissa Kite finishes the podcast, and describes her encounter with ‘obnoxious Surrey battleaxes’. (14:15)

Play 18 mins

Spectator Out Loud

The Spectator’s leading article, Kate Andrews and Rod Liddle

This week’s episode features a reading of The Spectator’s leading article, on how devolution has created a democratic deficit in Scotland (00:50); our economics correspondent Kate Andrews on what keeps the Chancellor up at night (7:00); and Rod Liddle on the real cause of food poverty in the UK. (16:35).

Play 23 mins