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

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

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Katy Balls, Matthew Lynn and Craig Brown

On this episode, Katy Balls explains how No. 10 infighting could lose Scotland, and reveals how Boris plans to get his side in order. (01:05) Matthew Lynn is next on the show, and tells the story of the Up Crash. (10:10) Craig Brown finishes the podcast, reading his review of a ‘dark portrait of sibling

Play 33 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Cindy Yu, Fraser Nelson and Josiah Gogarty

On this episode, Cindy Yu begins by explaining why China and Russia are ahead in the great game of vaccine diplomacy. (00:45) Fraser Nelson is next, and he tells us why The Spectator went to court. (10:35) Josiah Gogarty finishes the podcast, asking how middle-class your dad is. (16:35)

Play 22 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Andrew Sullivan, Lara Prendergast and Deborah Ross

In this episode of Spectator Out Loud, Andrew Sullivan reflects on Trump’s second impeachment trial (01:05), Lara Prendergast questions whether vaccine passports are really the solution (08:20) and Deborah Ross reviews an unorthodox film about a school shooting (20:00).

Play 26 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Emma Thompson, Matt Ridley and Toby Young

On this week’s episode, Emma Thompson explains why Church of England cuts could lead to the devastation of the parish network. (00:55) Then, Matt Ridley explains why lockdown could have led to more deadly coronavirus variants. (10:15) And finally, Toby Young asks why he hasn’t got a peerage. (18:10)

Play 24 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Matthew Lynn, Anthony Seldon and Sam Leith

On this week’s episode, Kate Andrews says the challenges of Joe Biden’s administration go beyond governing. (00:35) Plus, Liam Kennedy explains the history of Irish-American identity. (09:25) Finally, Jeremy Clarke wonders why everyone is a log expert (18:20)

Play 20 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Kate Andrews, Liam Kennedy and Jeremy Clarke

On this week’s episode, Kate Andrews says the challenges of Joe Biden’s administration go beyond governing. (00:35) Plus, Liam Kennedy explains the history of Irish-American identity. (09:25) Finally, Jeremy Clarke wonders why everyone is a log expert (18:20)

Play 25 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Lionel Shriver, Matthew Parris and Jonathan Beswick

On this week’s episode, Lionel Shriver says we believe what we want to believe. (00:45) Then, Matthew Parris says Peter Mandelson, infamously nicknamed the Prince of Darkness, could have been prime minister. (09:50) And finally, Father Jonathan Beswick explains why he’s keeping his church open during lockdown. (17:10)

Play 25 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Matthew Lynn, Will Knowland and Mary Wellesley

On this week’s episode, author and financial columnist Matthew Lynn begins by arguing that the EU has already botched its Covid vaccine rollout. (00:25) Then, Will Knowland, formerly an English teacher at Eton, explains why he was dismissed from the school and criticises its ‘stifling monoculture’. (08:20) And finally, Mary Wellesley reflects on the lives

Play 18 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Fraser Nelson, Matt Ridley, Ian Rankin and Cressida Bonas

For the Christmas triple issue, there are four authors in this week’s Spectator Out Loud. Fraser Nelson reads the leading article in our Christmas edition; Matt Ridley talks about how mRNA vaccines could revolutionise medicine; Ian Rankin reads his short story; and Cressida Bonas reflects on what it was like to have a lockdown wedding.

Play 35 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Dominic Green, Tanya Gold, Lionel Shriver and Bruce Anderson

On this week’s episode, the Spectator‘s deputy US editor, Dominic Green, argues that if Joe Biden departs from Donald Trump’s foreign policy, American interests will be harmed. (01:00) After, Tanya Gold reads her interview with Belle Delphine, the 21-year-old who earns more than $1 million a month from videos she posts online. (13:25) Lionel Shriver

Play 33 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Alex Massie, Paul Wood and Melissa Kite

On this week’s episode, the Spectator’s Scotland editor Alex Massie asks why Nicola Sturgeon’s popularity keeps growing, despite her government’s underperformance. (00:55) Next, Paul Wood argues that the next six weeks are crucial for the future of the Middle East. (12:00) Finally, Melissa Kite wonders what the new Covid rules mean. (21:00)

Play 26 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Rod Liddle, Paul Embery and Rachel Johnson

On this week’s episode, Rod Liddle reflects on the public sector pay freeze, and wonders why teachers won’t teach. (00:50) Next, Paul Embery argues that the Labour Party has become disassociated with the working class. (07:03) Finally, Rachel Johnson explains why she wishes Christmas was cancelled. (17:40)

Play 24 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Douglas Murray, Lara Prendergast and Andrew Wilson

On this week’s episode, Douglas Murray is first, reflecting on the US election, and wondering why people who see the same thing can come to different conclusions. (00:51) Lara Prendergast is next, with her profile of the Prime Minister’s fiancee, Carrie Symonds. (09:07) Finally, Andrew Wilson, who makes the case for an independent Scotland. (14:37)

Play 20 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Simon Clarke, Simon Barnes and Jeremy Clark

On this week’s episode, Dr Simon Clarke tells us why a vaccine may not be as close as we’ve been led to believe. (00:51) Next, Simon Barnes gives us a history of the mink. (07:13) And finally, Jeremy Clark tells us about his US election night from an olive grove. (11:08)

Play 17 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Sam Carlisle, Alberto Giubilini and Taki

On this week’s episode, Sam Carlisle, a mother of a disabled child, says her family has been abandoned during the pandemic; Alberto Giubilini considers the ethics of lockdown; and Taki explains why New Yorkers are leaving the city in droves.

Play 21 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Matthew Parris, Lionel Shriver and Douglas Murray

On this episode, Matthew Parris talks about how, on free school meals, he’s truly fallen behind the zeitgeist; Lionel Shriver on why she’s voting for Biden, warts and all; and Douglas Murray’s reflections from America in the days before the election. Tell us your thoughts on our podcasts and be in for a chance to

Play 25 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Griff Rhys Jones, Toby Young and Cosmo Landesman

On this week’s episode of Spectator Out Loud, comedian Griff Rhys Jones complains about London’s war on motorists (00:45); Toby Young on how he’s become an English nationalist (08:55); and Cosmo Landesman on the joys of drinking alone (13:30).

Play 17 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Kate Andrews, Matthew Parris and Rory Sutherland

Kate Andrews explains why she’s voting for Biden despite being a lifelong Republican (00:35); Matthew Parris urges you to go to Sweden while you still can (7:30); and Rory Sutherland wonders whether he’s cracked the Covid problem (14:45).Update Description

Play 20 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Katy Balls, Rachel Johnson and Jeremy Clarke

On this week’s episode, Katy Balls interviews Thérèse Coffey about her plans to get millions back into work; Rachel Johnson reveals the hidden cost of buying a puppy in lockdown; and Jeremy Clarke wins big at the horse racing.

Play 21 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Douglas Murray, Sam Leith, Melissa Kite and Toby Young

On this week’s episode, Douglas Murray argues that Boris’s new picks to take charge of the BBC and Ofcom will give the institutions a much-needed shake-up; Sam Leith defends ‘wokeness’; Melissa Kite argues that fly-tipping is a good thing; and Toby Young explains why Laurence Fox’s new political party should frighten the Conservatives.

Play 25 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Jeff Fynn-Paul, Christopher Snowdon and Jo Deacon

On this week’s episode, Jeff Fynn-Paul argues that land taken over by European colonialists in North America wasn’t ‘stolen’; Christopher Snowdon says the economic scars of coronavirus will define the decade; and Jo Deacon explains the drink being hailed as a Covid cure by Madagascar’s president.

Play 25 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Paulina Neuding, Toby Young and Lloyd Evans

On this week’s episode, Swedish journalist Paulina Neuding talks about Sweden’s crime surge; Toby Young on why he has given up on Boris; and Lloyd Evans on going to the theatre in the age of Covid.

Play 17 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Douglas Murray, Francis Pike and Philip Hensher

On this week’s episode, Douglas Murray asks – why would anyone want to be a government adviser, given what’s happened to Tony Abbott? The historian Francis Pike reads his piece on Thailand’s Caligula; and Philip Hensher reviews a new book on Wagner. Spectator Out Loud is a weekly audio collection of three Spectator writers reading

Play 32 mins

Spectator Out Loud

Spectator Out Loud: Lloyd Evans, Lionel Shriver and Will Heaven

On this week’s podcast, Lloyd Evans argues that the state should stop subsidising the National Theatre and start funding bingo halls (00:41). Then Lionel Shriver explains the trouble of taking back control (08:15). And finally, Will Heaven explores the dissolution of the Downside monastery (16:48).

Play 24 mins