Best Nicholas Webb Podcasts (2025)

1
The Tree of Life: Mapping Evolution’s Greatest Story, with Max Telford 38:07

34m ago38:07

38:07

Understanding how the diversity of life on earth came to be is one of the greatest puzzles in biology. In his new book, The Tree of Life: Solving Science's Greatest Puzzle, Professor Max Telford charts a four-billion-year journey through the evolution of our planet, from humans, fish and butterflies to oak trees, mushrooms and bacteria. On today’s …

1
Ritual, Ancestry, and Cultural History in Modern China, with Alice Mah 43:21

5m ago43:21

43:21

What do we owe to the dead? What responsibilities do we inherit from the past, and how do they intersect with the crises of the present? In an era of ecological collapse and cultural dislocation, how can we meaningfully honour ancestral memory when the material sites of remembrance - tombs, villages, traditions - are themselves vanishing? In this e…

1
Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global, with Laura Spinney 46:03

1d ago46:03

46:03

What if a single ancient language lay at the root of nearly half of the world’s spoken tongues? In today’s episode, acclaimed science writer and journalist Laura Spinney joins us to discuss her new book Proto: How One Ancient Language Went Global. In Proto, Spinney takes us deep into the mystery of Proto-Indo-European (PIE) - a prehistoric language…

1
Classic Debate: Austen vs Brontë 1:39:15

3d ago1:39:15

1:39:15

Jane Austen created the definitive picture of Georgian England. No writer matches Austen’s sensitive ear for the hypocrisy and irony lurking beneath the genteel conversation. That’s the argument of the Janeites, but to the aficionados of Emily Brontë they are the misguided worshippers of a circumscribed mind. In Wuthering Heights, Brontë dispensed …

1
An Evening with Elif Shafak and Peter Frankopan 56:01

4d ago56:01

56:01

Elif Shafak’s award-winning novels are celebrated globally. Her work has been translated into 58 languages, and her latest, There Are Rivers in the Sky, is a testament to the power of storytelling across borders and cultures. This is an epic story of interconnection. Spanning ancient Mesopotamia to contemporary London, Shafak charts the lifespan of…

1
Abundance: A New Blueprint for Liberal Politics, With Derek Thompson 50:58

7d ago50:58

50:58

What if the biggest threat to liberal democracy isn’t authoritarianism - but our failure to build? On today’s episode we’re joined by journalist Derek Thompson to unpack Abundance, a new vision of progressive politics co-authored by Thompson and Ezra Klein. In it, Klein and Thompson trace the political, economic, and cultural barriers to progress a…

1
The Illegals: A Secret History of Soviet Espionage, with Shaun Walker 53:19

9d ago53:19

53:19

On today’s episode: the untold history of Russia’s deep cover spy programme. Shaun Walker is an international correspondent for The Guardian. He reported from Moscow for more than a decade, and his coverage of Russia's war in Ukraine was shortlisted for the Foreign Reporter of the Year category at the British 2023 Press Awards. In his new book, The…

1
Who Owns Our Digital Afterlives? With Carl Öhman 49:50

10d ago49:50

49:50

These days, so much of our lives takes place online - but what about our afterlives? A recent study by the Oxford Internet Institute predicts that the number of deceased Facebook users could outnumber the living by 2070. As AI advances, a debate is growing over digital remains and what should be done with the vast amounts of data we leave behind. I…

1
Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History, with Moudhy Al-Rashid 42:44

12d ago42:44

42:44

On today’s episode, Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid sheds light on the history of Ancient Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, gave rise to writing, literature, astronomy, and law - shaping human history in ways that still resonate today. Drawing on her new book Between Two Rivers, Al-Rashid brings to life the stories of …

1
The World in 2025 with Robert Kaplan: Finding A Way Through Permanent Crisis (Part Two) 39:47

14d ago39:47

39:47

We are entering a new era of global instability. The world is facing an era of war, climate change, great power rivalry and unprecedented technological advancement. In April 2025, geopolitical expert and bestselling author Robert Kaplan came to Intelligence Squared to analyse where the world is heading in 2025 and beyond. Drawing from the themes of…

1
The World in 2025 with Robert Kaplan: Finding A Way Through Permanent Crisis (Part One) 39:13

16d ago39:13

39:13

We are entering a new era of global instability. The world is facing an era of war, climate change, great power rivalry and unprecedented technological advancement. In April 2025, geopolitical expert and bestselling author Robert Kaplan came to Intelligence Squared to analyse where the world is heading in 2025 and beyond. Drawing from the themes of…

1
Classic Debate: Ian Fleming vs John le Carré 1:10:57

17d ago1:10:57

1:10:57

They are the titans of the spy novel, who have elevated thrillers to the level of literary fiction. Much imitated, much adapted by the big and small screens, Ian Fleming and John Le Carré have painted our picture of post-war espionage: Fleming through the dashing figure of James Bond, with his lush locations and Martinis as icy as his heart; Le Car…

1
John and Paul: A Beatles Love Story in Songs (Part Two) 38:47

19d ago38:47

38:47

In 1957 John Lennon and Paul McCartney were two ordinary teenagers who met in suburban Liverpool and decided to play rock and roll together. Twenty-three years later that friendship came to a tragic end when Lennon was murdered. But those 23 years changed the world. Lennon and McCartney became global stars, created a body of work that has never bee…

1
John and Paul: A Beatles Love Story in Songs (Part One) 37:58

21d ago37:58

37:58

In 1957 John Lennon and Paul McCartney were two ordinary teenagers who met in suburban Liverpool and decided to play rock and roll together. Twenty-three years later that friendship came to a tragic end when Lennon was murdered. But those 23 years changed the world. Lennon and McCartney became global stars, created a body of work that has never bee…

1
Revisiting Wages for Housework, with Emily Callaci 42:33

23d ago42:33

42:33

Unpaid domestic labor has long been the invisible backbone of economies worldwide - but what if it were compensated? In this episode, historian Emily Callaci takes us inside the Wages for Housework movement, a bold and controversial campaign that emerged in the 1970s. Drawing on her new book, Wages for Housework: The Story of a Movement, an Idea, a…

1
Six Kings and the Making of the English State, with Caroline Burt and Richard Partington 54:52

24d ago54:52

54:52

Between 1199 and 1399, English politics was high drama. These two centuries witnessed savage political blood-letting - including civil war, deposition, the murder of kings and the ruthless execution of rebel lords - as well as international warfare, devastating national pandemic, economic crisis and the first major peasant uprising in English histo…

1
LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman on What Could Go Right with Our AI Future (Part Two) 38:39

28d ago38:39

38:39

Reid Hoffman is one of the world’s most influential and successful entrepreneurs. The co-founder of LinkedIn, Manas AI, Inflection AI and part of the original team at PayPal, he has built companies that have shaped the internet and AI revolutions of the twenty-first century. As part of Reid’s staunch commitment to Democracy, he was a supporter of K…

1
LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman on What Could Go Right with Our AI Future (Part One) 37:43

28d ago37:43

37:43

Reid Hoffman is one of the world’s most influential and successful entrepreneurs. The co-founder of LinkedIn, Manas AI, Inflection AI and part of the original team at PayPal, he has built companies that have shaped the internet and AI revolutions of the twenty-first century. As part of Reid’s staunch commitment to Democracy, he was a supporter of K…

1
The Rise of Spotify, with Liz Pelly 46:29

1M ago46:29

46:29

Music has become increasingly playlisted, personalized, and autoplayed. But how did we get here, and what does it mean for artists, listeners, and the music industry as a whole? In today’s episode, journalist Liz Pelly unpacks the origins of Spotify, its meteoric rise, and its transformative impact on the way we create and experience music. Whilst …

1
Kavita Puri and Sathnam Sanghera on War, Empire and the Untold Story of the Bengal Famine (Part Two) 45:01

1M ago45:01

45:01

The Bengal Famine is the forgotten story of the Second World War. Between 1943 and 1944, at least three million Indians, all of whom were British subjects, died from starvation or diseases linked to malnutrition. It is one of the darkest chapters in colonial history, yet the memory of those millions who perished is not broadly nurtured in Britain, …

1
Kavita Puri and Sathnam Sanghera on War, Empire and the Untold Story of the Bengal Famine (Part One) 41:06

1M ago41:06

41:06

The Bengal Famine is the forgotten story of the Second World War. Between 1943 and 1944, at least three million Indians, all of whom were British subjects, died from starvation or diseases linked to malnutrition. It is one of the darkest chapters in colonial history, yet the memory of those millions who perished is not broadly nurtured in Britain, …

1
Where do Big Ideas Come From 21:55

1M ago21:55

21:55

Unlocking the Innovation Triangle: Where Big Ideas Are Born In this exciting episode of Innovation Superstar InfoCast, world-renowned innovation expert and best-selling author Nicholas Webb takes a deep dive into the Innovation Triangle—a powerful framework that drives groundbreaking ideas and successful innovation. Nicholas reveals how the interse…

1
Earthling Ed: How to Argue with a Meat Eater (Part Two) 33:53

1M ago33:53

33:53

Ed Winters, known to his millions of online followers as Earthling Ed, has perfected the art of persuasion. During his extensive career as an activist and educator, he has made the case for veganism everywhere from university campuses to live on GB News. His compelling and informative content has garnered millions of views, and earned him a dedicat…

1
About my upcoming book The Big Idea 21:15

1M ago21:15

21:15

The Big Idea InfoCast Introduction In this introduction, I will give you insights as to how to turn your idea into a fortune while avoiding the common mistakes. This program includes: How to Turn Your Innovation into Wealth and Impact My Journey in Innovation From sixth-grade science projects to medical devices, consumer products, and global consul…

1
Earthling Ed: How to Argue with a Meat Eater (Part One) 33:08

1M ago33:08

33:08

Ed Winters, known to his millions of online followers as Earthling Ed, has perfected the art of persuasion. During his extensive career as an activist and educator, he has made the case for veganism everywhere from university campuses to live on GB News. His compelling and informative content has garnered millions of views, and earned him a dedicat…

1
The Age of the Strongman: Understanding Putin, with Catherine Belton (Part Two) 34:08

1M ago34:08

34:08

This event was part of our Age of the Strongman series. Click here to see the other events in the series: https://www.intelligencesquared.com/the-age-of-the-strongman/. ---- War in Ukraine. Interference in democratic elections. The sponsorship of extremist politics to destabilise Europe. In recent years, Vladimir Putin has waged a relentless campai…

1
The Age of the Strongman: Understanding Putin, with Catherine Belton (Part One) 39:18

1M ago39:18

39:18

This event was part of our Age of the Strongman series. Click here to see the other events in the series: https://www.intelligencesquared.com/the-age-of-the-strongman/. ---- War in Ukraine. Interference in democratic elections. The sponsorship of extremist politics to destabilise Europe. In recent years, Vladimir Putin has waged a relentless campai…

1
Where do big ideas come from? 21:55

1M ago21:55

21:55

Where Do Great Ideas Come From? Innovation isn’t random—it follows a structured approach. At the core of every successful breakthrough lies the Innovation Triangle, which consists of three essential elements: Opportunities, Problem-Solving, and Needs. Opportunities arise from gaps in the market, problem-solving is about addressing inefficiencies, a…

1
George the Poet on Music, Memory, and the War on Blackness Art & Culture (Part Two) 29:29

1M ago29:29

29:29

George Mpanga, known as George the Poet, is seen by many as one of the UK’s most compelling voices in poetry, music, and social commentary. Originally hailing from St Raphael’s Estate in Neasden, Mpanga has spent over a decade working at the intersection of art and politics reflecting on his upbringing to shed light on how race and inequality still…

1
Introducing my upcoming book The BIG Idea 21:15

1M ago21:15

21:15

Your Big Idea Deserves Big Success. Every great invention starts with an idea—but only a select few turn that idea into profit and lasting impact. The journey from concept to commercialization is filled with pitfalls, risks, and costly mistakes that can leave even the most promising innovations stuck in limbo. In The Big Idea: How to Turn Your Inve…

1
The BIG Idea Intro 21:15

1M ago21:15

21:15

The Big Idea InfoCast Introduction In this introduction, I will give you insights as to how to turn your idea into a fortune while avoiding the common mistakes. This program includes: How to Turn Your Innovation into Wealth and Impact My Journey in Innovation From sixth-grade science projects to medical devices, consumer products, and global consul…

1
George the Poet on Music, Memory, and the War on Blackness (Part One) 29:24

1M ago29:24

29:24

George Mpanga, known as George the Poet, is seen by many as one of the UK’s most compelling voices in poetry, music, and social commentary. Originally hailing from St Raphael’s Estate in Neasden, Mpanga has spent over a decade working at the intersection of art and politics reflecting on his upbringing to shed light on how race and inequality still…

1
Classic Debate: There is Nothing Wrong With Rearing and Killing Animals for Human Consumption 1:07:56

2M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

This event took place on the 31st of October 2016 at the Royal Institution in London. CHAIR: Afua Hirsch - Writer and broadcaster SPEAKERS FOR THE MOTION: AA Gill - The Sunday Times’s star restaurant and TV critic AGAINST THE MOTION: George Monbiot - Guardian columnist, environmental campaigner and author of Regenesis: Feeding the World without Dev…

1
Douglas Stuart on Shuggie Bain, Storytelling, and the Human Condition (Part Two) 37:08

2M ago37:08

37:08

This event is part of Conversations at the Kiln, a new event series at Kiln Theatre programmed by Intelligence Squared. For more events with speakers from the worlds of literature, art, poetry and politics, click here. Douglas Stuart, Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo, is celebrated globally for his heartbreaking, funny an…

1
Douglas Stuart on Shuggie Bain, Storytelling, and the Human Condition (Part One) 41:00

2M ago41:00

41:00

This event is part of Conversations at the Kiln, a new event series at Kiln Theatre programmed by Intelligence Squared. For more events with speakers from the worlds of literature, art, poetry and politics, click here. Douglas Stuart, Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain and Young Mungo, is celebrated globally for his heartbreaking, funny an…

1
Sam McAlister on Scandals, Scoops, and the Prince Andrew Interview (Part Two) 29:04

2M ago29:04

29:04

Sam McAlister is the woman who secured the now infamous Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew, when he claimed to Emily Maitlis that he was in a Pizza Express in Woking on the night Virginia Giuffre alleges he slept with her. This was the broadcast which set public opinion alight, and from which many have supposed the royal family will never quite…

1
Sam McAlister on Scandals, Scoops, and the Prince Andrew Interview (Part One) 27:44

2M ago27:44

27:44

Sam McAlister is the woman who secured the now infamous Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew, when he claimed to Emily Maitlis that he was in a Pizza Express in Woking on the night Virginia Giuffre alleges he slept with her. This was the broadcast which set public opinion alight, and from which many have supposed the royal family will never quite…

1
Justin Webb on The Trump World Order (Part 2) 36:29

2M ago36:29

36:29

On February 24, veteran BBC journalist, former North America editor and presenter Justin Webb came to Intelligence Squared to discuss what we all need to know about the new Trump world order. Webb analysed the first month of Trump's new administration to explain how from trade to conflict, Trump is abandoning international systems and creating a ne…

1
Justin Webb on The Trump World Order (Part 1) 40:25

2M ago40:25

40:25

On February 24, veteran BBC journalist, former North America editor and presenter Justin Webb came to Intelligence Squared to discuss what we all need to know about the new Trump world order. Webb analysed the first month of Trump's new administration to explain how from trade to conflict, Trump is abandoning international systems and creating a ne…

1
Classic Debate: Rembrandt vs Vermeer - The Titans of Dutch Painting 1:06:56

2M ago1:06:56

1:06:56

Rembrandt van Rijn is the best known of all the Dutch masters. His range was vast, from landscapes to portraits to Biblical scenes; he revolutionised every medium he handled, from oil paintings to etchings and drawings. His vision encompassed every element of life – the sleeping lion; the pissing baby; the lacerated soles of the returned prodigal s…

1
Chokepoints: Economic Warfare in the Modern World, with Edward Fishman 46:51

2M ago46:51

46:51

In this episode, we’re joined by Edward Fishman, one of the foremost experts on economic statecraft and sanctions. With a career spanning roles at the U.S. State Department, the Pentagon, and the Treasury Department, Fishman has been at the forefront of America’s strategic response to global challenges. He now works as a professor at Columbia Unive…

1
Nicholas Carr on How Technologies of Communication Tear Us Apart 47:50

2M ago47:50

47:50

‘We live today in a perpetual superbloom – not of flowers but of messages’ –- Nicholas Carr In this episode we explore the hidden costs of constant connection with American journalist and writer Nicholas Carr. Best known for his New York Times bestselling book The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains, Carr discusses his latest book Su…

1
Classic Debate: Parenting Doesn’t Matter (Or Not As Much As You Think) 1:07:17

2M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

For today's Classic Debate we're revisiting our 2018 debate "Parenting Doesn’t Matter (Or Not As Much As You Think)". We were joined by Professor of Behavioural Genetics Robert Plomin, the Developmental Clinical Psychologist Susan Pawlby, therapist, parenting counsellor and broadcaster Ann Pleshette Murphy, and Stuart Ritchie, lecturer in social ge…

1
Humans: A Monstrous History 38:39

2M ago38:39

38:39

What is a monster? Why do humans create stories about otherness? What does it tell you about a society that engages in monster making? Our guest today is Surekha Davies. Writer and historian, who has written a book about these questions, Humans: A Monstrous History. Davies was joined in conversation by Sophie McBain, associate editor of The New Sta…

1
Jonathan Sumption on the Challenges of Democracy 45:50

2M ago45:50

45:50

Is democracy in crisis? British judge and historian Jonathan Sumption thinks so and in this episode he explains why. Drawing from the themes of his latest book The Challenges of Democracy: and the Rule of Law, he explores the enduring struggles and conflicts within democratic societies today — and how we might overcome them. Joining him in conversa…

1
The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook with Martin Wolf (Part 2) 36:02

2M ago36:02

36:02

2025 is set to be a seismic year for the global economy. Donald Trump will return to the White House with an ‘America First’ agenda that threatens to dismantle global trade. Wars in Ukraine and Gaza could continue to escalate and cause turmoil in diplomacy. And the race to develop AI will accelerate as China and the US battle it out for technologic…

1
The Intelligence Squared Economic Outlook with Martin Wolf (Part 1) 43:22

2M ago43:22

43:22

2025 is set to be a seismic year for the global economy. Donald Trump will return to the White House with an ‘America First’ agenda that threatens to dismantle global trade. Wars in Ukraine and Gaza could continue to escalate and cause turmoil in diplomacy. And the race to develop AI will accelerate as China and the US battle it out for technologic…

1
Can Feminism Be African? With Minna Salami 48:15

2M ago48:15

48:15

Our guest today is Minna Salami, the feminist author, social critic and currently Program Chair at The New Institute. Her first book was Sensuous Knowledge: A Black Feminist Approach for Everyone, and her writing can be found in the Guardian, Project Syndicate, Al Jazeera, and The Philosopher, and many others. In her new book, Salami explores the q…

1
ABC’s James Longman on Family, Trauma, and Reporting from the Frontlines (Part 2) 29:35

2M ago29:35

29:35

Having reported from over sixty countries, from the front lines of wars in Ukraine and Syria to the wilds of the Antarctic, ABC News Chief International Correspondent James Longman has witnessed the extremes of human existence firsthand. But the story that has stayed with him the longest is closer to home. In his new memoir, The Inherited Mind, Jam…

1
ABC’s James Longman on Family, Trauma, and Reporting from the Frontlines (Part 1) 32:53

3M ago32:53

32:53

Having reported from over sixty countries, from the front lines of wars in Ukraine and Syria to the wilds of the Antarctic, ABC News Chief International Correspondent James Longman has witnessed the extremes of human existence firsthand. But the story that has stayed with him the longest is closer to home. In his new memoir, The Inherited Mind, Jam…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Nicholas Webb Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide