Sam Leith's guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is Robert Macfarlane. In his new book Is A River Alive? he travels from the cloud forests of Ecuador to the pollution-choked rivers of Chennai and the threatened waterways of eastern Canada. He tells Sam what he learned along the journey – and why we need to reconceptualise our relationship with th…

If you had to combine the best of Barcelona and Arsenal, who would make your starting XI? Watch as we challenge Fara and Anita to pick their ultimate combined squad in a quickfire round. Who gets the nod at goalkeeper, in defense, through the midfield with stars like Caldentey and Bonmati, and up front with Russo and Pajor? Get ready for some tough…

WE'RE BACK for a special edition of Boots, Balls & Bras, powered by Pepsi Max! Fara Williams and Anita Asante are here to give you the ultimate preview of the UEFA Women's Champions League Final: Arsenal vs Barcelona, happening Saturday May 24th, in Lisbon! Arsenal's biggest game since 2007 sees them aiming for a second UWCL title, 18 years after t…

My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is Geoff Dyer, who’s talking about his memoir Homework, in which he describes growing up as an only child in suburban Cheltenham, and how the eleven-plus and the postwar settlement irrevocably changed his life – propelling him away from the timid and unfulfilled world of his working-class parents. Geoff, in…

My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is the writer, activist and Spectator contributor Julie Bindel. In her new book Lesbians: Where Are We Now?, Julie asks why lesbian liberation seems – as she sees it – to have taken one step forward and two steps back. She traces the history of lesbian activism, explains why we’re wrong to assume that lesbi…

IT'S A WRAP! Join Fara Williams and Anita Asante for the Boots, Balls & Bras WSL Season Finale! We celebrate Chelsea's historic Invincible season, analyse Arsenal securing 2nd place after a thrilling win over Man Utd can they go all the way in the Champions League? WSL Season Review - including Team of the Season picks and top performers! Plus, we …

My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is Daniel Swift. Daniel’s new book, The Dream Factory: London’s First Playhouse and the Making of William Shakespeare, tells the fascinating story of a theatrical innovation that transformed Elizabethan drama – and set the stage, as it were, for the rise of our greatest playwright. Hosted on Acast. See acas…

We're back on BBB with Fara Williams and Anita Asante. Can anyone stop Chelsea after their incredible SIXTH consecutive title under new boss Sonia Bompastor? We also dissect Manchester United clinching that crucial Champions League spot after a dramatic comeback against Man City. Plus, what's going on with Arsenal after two shock defeats? And we ce…

My guest on this week’s podcast is the historian Anne Sebba. In her new book The Women’s Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival, Anne tells the story of how a ragtag group of women musicians formed in the shadow of Auschwitz’s crematoria. She tells me about the moral trade-offs, the friendships and enmities that formed, and what it meant to tr…

Fara Williams and Anita Asante are back to react to a HUGE week in women's football! We dissect Arsenal's historic comeback to reach the Women's Champions League Final after 18 years! Then, we look at Chelsea's humbling defeat against Barcelona - was it a tactical error? Plus, Crystal Palace's confirmed relegation, the return of Hemp & Greenwood, a…

My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is Lamorna Ash, author of Don’t Forget We’re Here Forever: A New Generation’s Search for Religion. She describes to me how a magazine piece about some young friends who made a dramatic conversion to Christianity turned into an investigation into the rise in faith among a generation that many assumed would b…

Another HUGE episode of BBB with Fara Williams and Anita Asante! We dive straight into the Women's Champions League Semi-Final first legs: analyzing Lyon's experience against Arsenal and asking if Chelsea were tactically naive against Barcelona. Did a substitution cost Chelsea a crucial goal? We also break down the latest WSL action, including Man …

Join Fara Williams as she sits down with former FIFA World Player of the Year and UEFA Women's Football Managing Director, Nadine Kessler. They discuss Nadine's incredible career, Wolfsburg's treble win, the groundbreaking UEFA Women's Football Strategy, and get the inside scoop on Women's EURO 2025! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more …

Sam Leith’s guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is the lawyer and writer Philippe Sands, whose new book 38 Londres Street describes the legal and diplomatic tussle over the potential extradition of the former Chilean dictator General Pinochet. Philippe tells Sam why the case was such an important one in legal history, and presents new evidence s…

Fara Williams and Anita Asante are back again for the roundup of the biggest stories and results in women's football. The pair discuss the main issues at Man City in their trophyless season, as they crashed out of the FA Cup to their city rivals. Can Man United beat Chelsea and win the FA Cup? Marc Skinner's side are out for revenge in a repeat of …

My guest on this week's Book Club podcast is Fara Dabhoiwala, whose new book What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea looks not just at the origins of free speech as an idea, but also its uses and misuses. Fara tells me the bizarre story of how he found himself ‘cancelled’, gives us the scoop on who actually invented free speech and exp…

Welcome back to another episode of Fara Meets! This edition features Ireland captain and Arsenal left-back Katie McCabe. Both her and Fara discuss their time together at Arsenal, McCabe being perceived as a hothead, and what is next for the Irish star? Plus, she lifts the lid on Jonas Eidevall's exit from the club, and how Renee Slegers has left th…

My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is the poet and novelist Joe Dunthorne, who is here to talk about his new non-fiction book Children of Radium: A Buried Inheritance. In it, he describes how he criss-crossed Europe in search of the truth about his great-grandfather, a Jewish scientist who found himself working on chemical weapons for the Na…

Boots, Balls and Bras is back this week with Fara Williams and Anita Asante. The pair talk through the huge comebacks in the Champions League, with both English sides progressing through to the semi-finals. Could we see an Arsenal vs Chelsea Champions League final potentially? Also they break down the relegation battle, as Aston Villa get a shock w…

My guest in this week’s Book Club is Francesca Simon. Best known for her Horrid Henry series of children’s books, Francesca has just published her first novel for grownups, a haunting reworking of a Welsh folk tale called Salka: Lady of the Lake. She tells me how she came to shift direction, what myths offer in terms of storytelling possibility – a…

Welcome back to BBB with Fara Williams and Anita Asante! In this episode, we dive deep into the latest WSL action, covering everything from title races to relegation battles. 🔥 Game of Two Halves: Man City vs. Chelsea 🔥 We dissect Chelsea's win over Man City, including the controversial decision that's got everyone talking! Was Jess Park's goal wro…

My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is the novelist and journalist John Lanchester, one of the contributors to Michael Lewis’s very timely new anthology of reportage on the United States federal government, Who Is Government?: The Untold Story of Public Service. Can the public learn to love a bureaucrat? John tells me why he thinks the workin…

Boots Balls and Bras returns this week to review the Subway Cup final, where Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners against Manchester City. Fara and Anita reflect on the "disgraceful" conditions that Pride Park's pitch was in, lifting the lid on what the players themselves thought of the surface pre-match. They breakdown what has been the key to Chelsea's im…

My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is the publisher Anthony Cheetham, one of the biggest figures in British publishing through the second half of the twentieth century and into this one. In his new book A Life in Fifty Books: A Publisher's Memoir, he looks back on his career. He tells me why he had a soft spot for Robert Maxwell; how he laun…

Fara and Anita are back for another episode of Boots, Balls & Bras. This time, the pair discuss the ongoing manager merry-go-round with Nick Taylor leaving Man city after five years, and Nick Cushing returning to City on an interim basis. They talk through Cushing's impressive record against Chelsea, and if he's only got his eyes on getting back in…

In this week's Book Club podcast, I'm joined by Donald Trump's outstanding Boswell, the magazine writer Michael Wolff. Michael’s new book, All or Nothing: How Trump Recaptured America, takes Donald Trump and his colourful cast of hangers-on from the aftermath of the 6 January riots to his triumphal return to the White House. Michael tells me why he…

Fara and Anita are back for another edition of Boots, Balls and Bras! This week, the pair discuss the double sacking of Matt Beard and Laura Kaminski over the international break. Also, are man united legitimate title challengers? Their sublime form, coupled with Chelsea looking slightly shaky in recent weeks, means that it could be on. They also d…

My guest on this week's Book Club podcast is the Assyriologist Selena Wisnom, author of The Library of Ancient Wisdom: Mesopotamia and the Making of History. Selena tells me about the vast and strange world of cuneiform culture, as evidenced by the life and reign of the scholar-king Ashurbanipal and the library – pre-dating that of Alexandria – tha…

My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is the novelist and critic James Bradley whose new book is Deep Water: The World in the Ocean. He tells me how we need to rethink our relationship with the sea and the life it contains, why fish are much more intelligent than we are used to imagining, and why – amid planetary doom – there’s still room for h…

Welcome back to this latest episode of Boots, Balls and Bras! Fara and Anita give their thoughts on the weekend's WSL action, which included 5-star Arsenal trouncing Tottenham at the Emirates. The pair discuss Tottenham's shortcomings, and where can they look to improve. They also commend Bunny Shaw's "powerful" gesture after she fired home a brace…

Sam's guest on today’s Book Club podcast is the musician, writer and photographer Colin Greenwood, who joins me to discuss his new book of photographs and memoir How To Disappear: A Portrait of Radiohead. Colin tells me about the band’s Mr Benn journey, photographing what you want to see… and what it takes to make Radiohead open a gig with 'Creep'.…

Welcome back to BBB with Fara Williams and Anita Asante! This week we talk about the racist abuse directed at Bunny Shaw. Anita has her say in the controversial comments made by Alan Brazil about the women's game. We discuss the FA's statements, the players' responses, and ask: Are enough protections in place? We also celebrate the Adobe Women's FA…

My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is Philip Marsden, whose new book Under A Metal Sky: A Journey Through Minerals, Greed and Wonder looks in thrilling and surprising detail at the wonders that are to be found beneath our feet. On the podcast he takes me through the meanings that rocks and metals have had through human history, from the bron…

Fara and Anita are back for this episode of Boots, Balls & Bras! The pair give their reaction to a thrilling encounter between Man City and Arsenal, where the Gunners triumphed 4-3. They also deep dive into Chloe Kelly's statement and her current situation, with her loan move to Arsenal being confirmed on Deadline Day. The pair give their thoughts …

In this episode of Fara Meets, Fara sits down with former England teammate and legendary defender, Anita Asante. Join them as they discuss Anita's incredible career, from her early days facing barriers to entry in women's football to winning the quadruple with Arsenal and playing for clubs across the globe. Anita shares her insights on coaching at …

My guest on this week's Book Club podcast is the novelist Lissa Evans, talking about her previous life as the producer of the sitcom Father Ted – as described in her new book Picnic on Craggy Island: The Surreal Joys of Producing Father Ted. She tells me about the collaborative genius of Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews, the unusual experience of …

Boots, Balls & Bras is back for another edition with Fara Williams and Anita Asante. In this epsiode, the pair dive into the weekend's results, including the London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal. The Blues claimed a 1-0 win through a controversial penalty and subsequent rec card for Arsenal's Katie McCabe. Guro Reiten slotted it home and Bompas…

In this week’s Book Club podcast, we’re contemplating the astounding achievement of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby in its 100th year. My guest is Professor Sarah Churchwell, author of Careless People: Murder, Mayhem and the Making of The Great Gatsby, as well as the introduction to Cambridge University Press’s new edition of the novel. Sara…

Fara Reacts is back and Naomi Girma is reportedly joining Chelsea for $1.1m from San Diego Wave! This will make the American the most expensive signing in women's football history. How much does this boos Chelsea's WSL title hopes? And how quickly will she adapt to the WSL? All of this plus much more on Boots Ball and Bras and Fara Reacts. Be sure …

Fara and Anita are back in the studio for Boots, Balls & Bras! The pair break down the high-scoring Manchester Derby where Man United were crowned victors, beating their City rivals 4-2. Ella Toone was the star player, scoring a hat-trick on her return from injury. What can Khiara Keating do to learn from her mistakes in this game? And does Chloe K…

My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is Orlando Reade, whose book What in Me Is Dark: The Revolutionary Life of Paradise Lost describes the life and afterlife of one of the greatest poems in the language. Orlando tells me how Milton’s epic has been read with – and against – the grain over the centuries; how it went from being a totem of Englis…

Boots Balls and Bras is back, and Fara & Anita are joined by BBC Sport's Head of Women's Football News Emma Sanders! Emma gives us an insight into what deals might get done in this January transfer window, including the likes of Chloe Kelly and Keira Walsh. How much is Chloe Kelly's lack of game-time at Man City affecting her national team ambition…

Fara and Anita are back for the new year! In this special episode, the pair create their perfect Team of the Year. Who starts at the back? Has Alex Greenwood done enough to deserve a spot? And who plays in midfield too? The pair debate between Guro Reiten and Tabitha Chawinga for who should play out wide. They play a game of 'winner stays on' at th…

In this week’s Books podcast, I am joined by Rachel Cooke, who edits the new book The Virago Book of Friendship. Rachel unpacks the intense, often enigmatic dynamics of female friendships in a spry and very dip-in-and-out-able anthology of writing about female friendship in an exhilaratingly wide array of forms, from high culture to low. There are …

In this week's Book Club podcast I'm joined by the Nobel Prize winning novelist Orhan Pamuk to talk about the publication of Memories of Distant Mountains: Illustrated Notebooks. Right up to early adulthood, Orhan had imagined he was destined to be a painter, but then his life took another turn. In these illustrated notebooks he marries words and i…

Fara and Anita bring you a very special Christmas episode as they gear up for the festive period! They discuss a range of topics, from their ideal Christmas dinner, dream dinner guests, and should Brussel Sprouts be anywhere near a Christmas dinner? All of this plus more on this festive episode of Boots Balls & Bras. What really happens on football…

Fran Kirby joins Fara Williams for our latest episode of Fara Meets, discussing her career so far. She speaks out on her "biggest regret" while at Chelsea, nearly being forced to retire early due to illness, and ongoing issues in the women's game around positive body image. All of this, plus her dream 5-a-side team and what's next for her in the ga…

My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is Chris Ware — author of Jimmy Corrigan, Building Stories and Rusty Brown, and a man widely regarded as one of the greatest living cartoonists. Chris's new book, The Acme Novelty Datebook Volume Three, opens his sketchbooks for public consumption: a potentially painful move for an artist as self-conscious …

In this week’s Books podcast, I am joined by the writer Daniel Tammet, whose new book Nine Minds: Inner Lives on the Spectrum is a pen portrait of nine lives of people on the autism spectrum. On the podcast, he tells me how he happened upon these nine lives, whether ‘spectrum’ is a helpful term when understanding autism and Asperger’s syndrome, and…

Fara and Anita are back in the studio together, and as the WSL approaches the festive period, the pair discuss managerial shifts, relegation struggles and all-time best strikers. Is Bunny Shaw on course to end her career is being amongst the best strikers to ever play in the WSL? Should Renée Slegers be kept in charge of Arsenal beyond the Christma…