Best Armando Iannucci Podcasts (2025)

1
How can we win the battle against antibiotic resistance? With Liam Shaw 42:12

11h ago42:12

42:12

One of the greatest medical breakthroughs of the twentieth century is set to become one of the biggest threats of the twenty-first - but what can be done to stem the rising tide of antibiotic resistance? In this episode, host Caroline Dodds Pennock speaks with Liam Shaw, biologist and author of Dangerous Miracle: A Natural History of Antibiotics – …

1
Classic Debate: The Allied bombing of German cities in World War II was unjustifiable 1:02:17

1d ago1:02:17

1:02:17

No one doubts the bravery of the thousands of men who flew and died in Bomber Command. The death rate was an appalling 44%. And yet until the opening of a monument in Green Park in 2012 they had received no official recognition, with many historians claiming that the offensive was immoral and unjustified. How can it be right, they argue, for the Al…

1
PICTURES FROM ITALY 📚: with Pete Orford 37:22

3d ago37:22

37:22

In the July of 1844 Dickens, his wife Catherine, their five children, his sister-in-law Georgina - plus three servants and their dog Timber - left London for Italy. What followed was an extraordinary adventure for them all. Returning to the series to talk to Dominic about his new Oxford University Press edition of Pictures From Italy is the inimita…

1
How have rivers shaped human existence? With Vanessa Taylor 37:17

3d ago37:17

37:17

From ancient empires to modern metropolises, what do rivers tell us about the way humans build, worship, and fight for their worlds? In this episode, historian Vanessa Taylor joins host Caroline Dodds Pennock to explore the powerful role rivers have played in shaping human history, culture, and identity. Drawing from her new book, Seven Rivers, Van…

1
Strong Recommend: Shamanism, The Timeless Religion by Dr Manvir Singh 8:57

5d ago8:57

8:57

What is xenising? And why do authority figures do it? Can we trace Farage back to the shamans of the past? Helen recommends Dr Manvir Singh's book Shamanism: The Timeless Religion, which helps inform a discussion around ritual and our desire for formality, and even otherness, from authority figures. Helen and Armando also debate whether ayahuasca r…

1
The Manuscript at Staplehurst: with Leon Litvack 17:43

6d ago17:43

17:43

Bonus Episode! In which Dr. Leon Litvack recounts Dickens' dramatic retrieval of Part 16 of the Manuscript of Our Mutual Friend from the swaying carriage at Staplehurst; and reveals, here for the first time, a key discovery he has made; plus the cut sections he has restored in his new Oxford University Press Edition of the novel ... Support the sho…

1
How Well do we Understand the Female Body? With Polly Vernon 50:56

5d ago50:56

50:56

Did you know that women’s brains change during puberty, pregnancy and the menopause? That women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s? Or that female athletes are more prone to certain injuries than their male counterparts? In her book How The Female Body Works, journalist Polly Vernon sets out on a quest to understand the female bod…

1
Are the Rich Preparing for Civilisational Collapse? With Evan Osnos 42:57

7d ago42:57

42:57

In this episode, award-winning journalist Evan Osnos joins Carl Miller to discuss the lives of the Ultrarich and themes from his new book The Haves and the Have Yachts. Together, they explore the secretive world of the ultra-wealthy, the symbolism of superyachts, and what extreme luxury reveals about inequality, power, and the future of capitalism.…

1
Does Plato Still Matter Today? with Angie Hobbs 54:14

9d ago54:14

54:14

Use code SQUARED at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/squared --- Can ancient philosophy make sense of a modern life? In this episode, Sophie Scott-Brown speaks to academic philosopher and author Angie Hobbs about the enduring relevance of Plato and how his ideas continue to resonate in today’s w…

1
Did the Road to Trump Start in the 90’s? with John Ganz 38:59

11d ago38:59

38:59

Use code SQUARED at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/squared --- How has the past thirty years of American politics impacted our present? In this episode, Atossa Araxia Abrahamian speaks to journalist and author John Ganz about how the 1990s were the perfect storm that created a new America that…

1
OUR MUTUAL FRIEND 📚: with Leon Litvack 44:05

11d ago44:05

44:05

Dominic is joined by Dr. Leon Litvack whose new edition of Our Mutual Friend for Oxford University Press will be published in November Leon is a reader at Queen’s University Belfast, and is an expert analyst of Dickens’ letters, manuscripts & handwriting. As well as being the Principal Editor of the Dickens Letters Project and Joint General Editor …

1
Strong Recommend: The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald 5:39

12d ago5:39

5:39

Fancy trying a new author, but don't know where to start? Armando recommends a short novel by Penelope Fitzgerald, and Helen shares a tip on how to try on a new author for size before committing. Join Helen and Armando over the summer for more cultural recommendations, available weekly on BBC Sounds. Production Coordinator: Sarah NichollsExecutive …

1
Calls May Be Recorded: Lipstick, Loneliness, and Late Capitalism with Katharina Volckmer 41:54

11d ago41:54

41:54

Katharina Volckmer joins Adam Biles to discuss her biting, bleakly funny second novel, Calls May Be Recorded for Training and Monitoring Purposes. Set in a London call centre, the book follows Jimmie, a disillusioned former actor trapped in a soul-crushing job, a suffocating home life with his immigrant mother, and an alienating body. Volckmer disc…

1
Was the Nuclear Bomb Inevitable? With Frank Close 1:02:19

13d ago1:02:19

1:02:19

Use code SQUARED at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/squared --- How did the most powerful force in history begin with a faint smudge on a photographic plate? In this episode, Adam McCauley speaks to physicist and award-winning science writer Frank Close about his new history of the development …

1
An African History of Africa, with Zeinab Badawi (Part Two) 35:24

15d ago35:24

35:24

Use code SQUARED at the link below to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan: https://incogni.com/squared ----- ‘Everyone is originally from Africa, and this book is therefore for everyone.’ – Zeinab Badawi Too often historians have told the history of Africa through the prism of colonialism. But what picture of the continent emerges when …

1
An African History of Africa, with Zeinab Badawi (Part One) 38:27

16d ago38:27

38:27

‘Everyone is originally from Africa, and this book is therefore for everyone.’ – Zeinab Badawi Too often historians have told the history of Africa through the prism of colonialism. But what picture of the continent emerges when we do away with making the story of Africa so anchored in European colonialism? In July 2025 award-winning broadcaster Ze…

1
The Specialist | The Greatest Persian Manuscript: A Story Fit For Kings, with Benedict Carter 13:34

17d ago13:34

13:34

This is an episode of The Specialist, produced by Intelligence Squared in partnership with Sotheby's. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. On today's episode, the legendary Shahnameh – the Persian Book of Kings – an epic poem composed of around 50,000 rhyming c…

1
Classic Debate: To Stop Climate Collapse, We Must End Capitalism 1:09:08

18d ago1:09:08

1:09:08

Capitalism is driving us to disaster. Our planet is heading for a terrifying environmental cataclysm – and our economic system is responsible. The defining characteristic of capitalism is perpetual economic growth. And while it has brought us wonderful benefits, including improved health, wealth and opportunities to travel and experience the world,…

1
Vincent Van Gogh: with Carol Jacobi 40:33

18d ago40:33

40:33

Vincent Van Gogh was an avid reader of Dickens. Throughout his life Dickens' works provided not only a mental 'scaffold' that helped him to believe in his own mission as an artist, but also pull himself out of deep depressions ... Here to talk to Dominic today about the powerful connection between Dickens and Van Gogh is the inimitable Carol Jacobi…

1
Strong Recommend: Evita at London Palladium 6:42

19d ago6:42

6:42

Helen has been to the theatre recently, so you don't have to! Jamie Lloyd's production of Evita has a moment in it which can be enjoyed by anyone who happens to be near the venue at about 9pm most nights across the summer. You can enjoy the showstopper yourself, whilst also adding to the experience of those in the venue who are missing out. Join He…

1
The Shape of Survival: Eimear McBride on Love, Art, and the City 1:02:49

19d ago1:02:49

1:02:49

In this textured conversation, author Eimear McBride joins Adam Biles at Shakespeare and Company to discuss her latest novel The City Changes Its Face. Set in Camden Town in the 1990s, the book revisits characters from The Lesser Bohemians as they navigate the complexities of love, art, aging, trauma, and parenthood. McBride explores the enduring i…

1
Did Apple’s Rise Fuel China’s Fight for Tech Supremacy? With Patrick McGee 48:16

20d ago48:16

48:16

How did Apple, the world’s most valuable company and creator of the defining product of the 21st century, end up so deeply entangled with China’s authoritarian state? In 1996, Apple was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Fast forward to 2003, and the company made a pivotal move - outsourcing production to China in search of affordable, scalable l…

1
How did the fourteenth century shape England? With Helen Carr 41:18

22d ago41:18

41:18

The death of Edward I in 1307 marked the beginning of a period of intense turmoil and change in England. The fourteenth century ushered in the beginning of the bloody Hundred Years’ War with France, an epic conflict with Scotland that would last into the sixteenth century, famine in Northern Europe and the largest human catastrophe in known history…

1
How will Taiwan shape Asia’s future? With Chris Horton 58:50

23d ago58:50

58:50

The issue of Taiwan is a constant background hum in today’s news cycle. Perched precariously on the fault-lines of global power, the fate of this vibrant democracy and tech colossus will shape Asia’s future – either containing or facilitating China’s expansionist goals. In today’s episode we’re joined by top foreign correspondent Chris Horton. Hort…

1
The Verse of Charles Dickens: with Lydia Craig & Emily Middleton 38:54

25d ago38:54

38:54

Dickens' genius as a novelist is acknowledged the world over ... but what was he like as a poet? Joining Dominic today to find out are the inimitable Dr. Lydia Craig & Dr. Emily Middleton who have just co-authored The Verse of Charles Dickens (Edinburgh University Press) Support the show If you'd like to make a donation to support the costs of prod…

1
Where Will the Next Tech Superpower Emerge? With Mehran Gul 51:16

25d ago51:16

51:16

For the past fifty years, Silicon Valley has led the world in developing cutting-edge technologies and spawning high-growth, billion-dollar tech companies. More recently, China has emerged as a formidable force in innovation. But is our focus on the US-China rivalry causing us to overlook the rise of new tech powerhouses elsewhere? In today’s episo…

1
Katie Kitamura on Fiction’s Shifting Realities 55:22

25d ago55:22

55:22

Katie Kitamura joins Adam Biles to discuss her remarkable novel Audition. Centred on a middle-aged actress whose settled life is upended by a young man claiming to be her son, Audition blurs the lines between performance, identity, and narrative certainty. Kitamura reflects on the novel’s dual structure—a “rabbit-duck” ambiguity—and her fascination…

1
Strong Recommend: Shakespeare's Richard II 8:52

26d ago8:52

8:52

This week, it's Armando's term to recommend something, and he makes the case for a little known up-and-coming writer, William Shakespeare. Richard II doesn't get its due among the other historical plays. Armando wonders why? It's full of drama and it's written in verse, what's not to love? Helen also discusses it in the context of the time, and wha…

1
The Safekeep, with Women’s Prize-winner Yael van der Wouden 46:15

27d ago46:15

46:15

It’s been a remarkable eighteen months for Dutch-Israeli author Yael van der Wouden. Her debut novel, The Safekeep, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and this year it won the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Set in the Netherlands 15 years after the end of World War II, The Safekeep is the story of a reclusive young woman living in her family’s isola…

1
The Specialist | The Untold Story of the Shredded Banksy, with Alex Branczik 14:14

28d ago14:14

14:14

This is an episode of The Specialist, produced by Intelligence Squared in partnership with Sotheby's. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. The shredding of Banksy’s Girl with Balloon live at auction in 2018 has gone down in art history. Alex Branczik, Chairman …

1
The Specialist | The Rediscovery of Rubens’ The Massacre of the Innocents, with George Gordon 14:52

28d ago14:52

14:52

This is an episode of The Specialist, produced by Intelligence Squared in partnership with Sotheby's. In The Specialist, explore the significance and journey of an extraordinary work through the eyes of those that know it best. Rubens’ early masterpiece The Massacre of the Innocents was hidden away for nearly 250 years. George Gordon, Deputy Chairm…

1
How Can Football Shirts Explain Money, Power and Politics? 36:52

29d ago36:52

36:52

In today’s episode, journalist and author Joey D'Urso joins us to discuss the themes of his new book More Than A Shirt: How Football Shirts Explain Global Politics, Money and Power. D'Urso travelled across the globe from Birmingham to Belgrade and Medellin and Mumbai, to uncover how the colours, crests and sponsors of football teams reflect and goo…

1
How Geography Explains Our World, with Tim Marshall 29:38

1M ago29:38

29:38

Tim Marshall is one of the world’s most successful authors on foreign affairs. He’s the writer who put the ‘geo’ into geopolitics with his multi-million selling books Prisoners of Geography and The Power of Geography. Marshall’s principal argument is that without geography we cannot understand the world. Geography explains why Donald Trump wants to…

1
How will Trump’s tariff war impact the global economy? With Philip Coggan 47:37

1M ago47:37

47:37

What happens when the world’s biggest economy turns its back on global trade? In today's episode, host Adam McCauley is joined by renowned financial journalist and economist Philip Coggan to examine the far-reaching consequences of Donald Trump’s trade war. Drawing parallels with Churchill’s economic decisions in the early 20th century, Coggan argu…

1
Strong Recommend: Every Living Thing by Jason Roberts 8:21

1M ago8:21

8:21

This week, Helen picks a book she's enjoyed recently. Jason Roberts' book from this year, Every Living Thing, details Carl Linnaeus and Du Buffon's attempts at taxonomy. The naming conventions of various parts of our world have informed so much of our lives. From what we call different animals and plants, to how relatively arbitrary classification …

1
Renton Returns, Sick Boy in Love: Irvine Welsh Reimagines His Antiheroes 1:04:03

1M ago1:04:03

1:04:03

In this electric conversation, Irvine Welsh joins Adam Biles at Shakespeare and Company to discuss Men in Love, the long-awaited sequel to Trainspotting. Picking up moments after Renton's betrayal, Welsh dives deep into the aftermath—friendship, love, addiction, class, and the cultural hangover of 1980s Thatcherism. The pair explore writing authent…

1
The Search for a Jewish Homeland in Texas, with Rachel Cockerell and James McAuley 28:30

1M ago28:30

28:30

On June 7th 1907, a ship packed with Russian Jews sets sail not to Jerusalem or New York, as many on board have dreamt, but to Texas. The man who persuades the passengers to go is David Jochelmann, Rachel Cockerell's great-grandfather. It marks the beginning of the Galveston Movement, a forgotten moment in history when 10,000 Jews fled to Texas in …

1
(Encore!) BLEAK HOUSE 📚: with Stephen Fry 49:07

1M ago49:07

49:07

Ahead of a new series Dominic re-shares the most popular episode of this show so far! Bleak House with the inimitable Stephen Fry who takes the listener on an intricate journey through the fog and mystery of Dickens' thrilling masterpiece. And reading extracts from Esther's narrative is the brilliant Sally Scott And here is a link to Miriam Margoly…

1
Strong Recommend: The Ballad of Wallis Island 8:36

1M ago8:36

8:36

To start off this mini-series, Armando picks a film he's enjoyed recently. Tim Key and Tom Basden's hit film The Ballad of Wallis Island started life as a short film, and has won plaudits for its offbeat, funny and warm story. How do films get made, when is the British film industry at his best, and what makes a film like this so special? Join Hele…

1
What can Charlottesville teach us about America’s national story? With Deborah Baker 37:46

1M ago37:46

37:46

In August 2017, over a thousand neo-Nazis, fascists, Klan members, and neo-Confederates descended on a small southern city to protest the pending removal of a statue of Robert E. Lee. What happened in Charlottesville—and why did so few see it coming? What does it reveal about the myths we tell ourselves about America? In this episode, we speak with…

1
Why does nobody understand quantum physics? With Frank Verstraete and Céline Broeckaert 47:47

1M ago47:47

47:47

Why does the universe behave in ways that defy logic - and can anyone truly understand it? In this episode, we’re joined by physicist Frank Verstraete and writer Céline Broeckaert, the husband-and-wife team behind the new book Why Nobody Understands Quantum Physics. Together, they take us on a journey into the strangest - and most essential - corne…

1
What if Globalisation Fails? with Ben Chu 38:14

1M ago38:14

38:14

What happens if globalisation fails? Can nations truly stand alone in an interconnected world? Is the new race for national self-sufficiency a path to real security, or a dangerous illusion? In this episode, we’re joined by economics journalist Ben Chu, author of Exile Economics: What Happens if Globalisation Fails, to unpack the shifting tides of …

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