In Our Time Podcast
Misha Glenny and guests discuss the ideas, people and events that have shaped our world.
A world-class seminar, every week.
In Our Time explores the ideas, people and discoveries that have shaped our world, spanning history, philosophy, religion, science, literature, art and culture.
On Thursdays, hear brand-new episodes hosted by Misha Glenny and leading academics. On Mondays, discover Misha's Archive Picks: classic conversations from the In Our Time archive, originally presented by Melvyn Bragg.
Recent episodes have featured topics as wide-ranging as the Roman Arena, Handel's Messiah, John Keats, On Liberty and the Mariana Trench, bringing expert insight to pivotal events, influential thinkers and remarkable discoveries.
Throughout the archive, you can hear discussions on historical figures such as Marie Antoinette, Nefertiti, Mary Wollstonecraft, Karl Marx and Albert Einstein; explore great works of literature such as Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Nineteen Eighty-Four, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the poetry of John Donne; uncover the stories behind cultural masterpieces including Van Gogh's Sunflowers and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel; or journey from Jupiter and the death of stars, to the theories of Plato and Aristotle.
In Our Time celebrates the pursuit of knowledge and the enduring power of ideas.
Episodes to download
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The Holy Grail
Thu 15 May 2003
Melvyn Bragg examines why the Holy Grail legend has fascinated writers for centuries.
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The Jacobite Rebellion
Thu 8 May 2003
Melvyn Bragg examines the Stuart dynasty's final attempt to reclaim the throne of England.
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Roman Britain
Thu 1 May 2003
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the 400 year history of the Romans in Britain.
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Youth
Thu 24 Apr 2003
Melvyn Bragg examines the history of concepts and ideas on youth from antiquity to today.
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Proust
Thu 17 Apr 2003
The life and work of the celebrated 20th century French novelist Marcel Proust.
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The Spanish Civil War
Thu 3 Apr 2003
Melvyn Bragg examines the causes, events and repercussions of the Spanish Civil War.
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Redemption
Thu 13 Mar 2003
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss redemption, crucial for Judeo-Christian thought.
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Meteorology
Thu 6 Mar 2003
Melvyn Bragg explores the fascinating and mystifying science of meteorology.
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The Aztecs
Thu 27 Feb 2003
Melvyn Bragg examines the creation, power and legacy of the Aztec Empire.
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The Lindisfarne Gospels
Thu 20 Feb 2003
Melvyn Bragg examines the manuscripts that united Celtic and Roman cultures in England.
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Chance and Design
Thu 13 Feb 2003
Melvyn Bragg explores the question and theories of a grand design in the universe.
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Man and Disease
Thu 12 Dec 2002
Melvyn Bragg examines how humans have understood and fought disease throughout history.
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The Enlightenment in Scotland
Thu 5 Dec 2002
Melvyn Bragg examines the emergence and impact of the Scottish Enlightenment.
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Muslim Spain
Thu 21 Nov 2002
Melvyn Bragg examines Muslim Spain, from Cordoba’s golden age to the fall of Granada.
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Victorian Realism
Thu 14 Nov 2002
Melvyn Bragg explores Victorian realism and its focus on the ordinariness of life.
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Human Nature
Thu 7 Nov 2002
Melvyn Bragg examines whether our natures are innate or defined by unbringing.
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Architecture and Power
Thu 31 Oct 2002
Melvyn Bragg explores the ideas architecture expresses about our past and identity.
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The Scientist
Thu 24 Oct 2002
Melvyn Bragg explores the origin of the concept and the historical role of the scientist.
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Slavery and Empire
Thu 17 Oct 2002
Melvyn Bragg examines British imperialism and its captives, both slaves and Britons.
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Heritage
Thu 18 Jul 2002
Melvyn Bragg explores the relationship between heritage culture and the study of history.
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Psychoanalysis and Democracy
Thu 11 Jul 2002
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the impact of politics on psychoanalysis.
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Freedom
Thu 4 Jul 2002
Melvyn Bragg considers what it is to be free and how freedom became such a powerful value.
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Cultural Imperialism
Thu 27 Jun 2002
Melvyn Bragg examines how a dominant power can exert a cultural influence on its empire.
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Wagner
Thu 20 Jun 2002
Melvyn Bragg examines the position of Richard Wagner and his music in German culture.
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The American West
Thu 13 Jun 2002
Melvyn Bragg explores the myths and harsh reality of the 19th century American pioneers.
In Our Time podcasts
Download episodes from the huge In Our Time archive.
The In Our Time Listeners' Top 10
If you’re new to In Our Time, this is a good place to start.
