Best Quentin Mitchell Podcasts (2025)

1
The Edition: Border lands, 200 years of British railways & who are the GOATs? 37:22

3h ago37:22

37:22

First: how Merkel killed the European dream ‘Ten years ago,’ Lisa Haseldine says, ‘Angela Merkel told the German press what she was going to do about the swell of Syrian refugees heading to Europe’: ‘Wir schaffen das’ – we can handle it. With these words, ‘she ushered in a new era of uncontrolled mass migration’. ‘In retrospect,’ explains one senio…

1
Book Club: Joanna Pocock 35:23

5h ago35:23

35:23

Sam Leith's guest for this week's Book Club podcast is Joanna Pocock, whose new book Greyhound describes two trips she took across America by Greyhound bus in 2006 and 2023. They talk about the literature of the road, that distinctively American and usually distinctively male genre, and the meaning of travel – and Joanna tells Sam how the America y…

1
Table Talk: Brett Graham 29:54

1d ago29:54

29:54

Brett Graham is the man behind the Michelin-starred The Ledbury in Notting Hill, which is celebrating 20 years this year. He’s also the director of The Harwood Arms in Fulham, London’s only pub with a Michelin star. On the podcast, Brett tells hosts Lara Prendergast and Olivia Potts about why being in the kitchen is like being in the army, what it …

1
Americano: what's the matter with Candace Owens? 36:04

2d ago36:04

36:04

Freddy Gray speaks to podcast host and commentator Candace Owens about her story investigating whether Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte is a man, why she remains firm on her views about Gaza, and how Trump is doing in his presidency.

1
Ep. 516 - John Michie 48:12

3d ago48:12

48:12

John Michie is best known for playing Detective Inspector Robbie Ross in Taggart from 1998 to 2010. He later became a household name as Karl Munro in Coronation Street (2011–2013) and as neurosurgeon Guy Self in Holby City and Casualty (2013–2022). More recently, he has joined Season 2 of ITV’s crime series Karen Pirie as Fergus Sinclair, a complex…

1
Holy Smoke: how has John Henry Newman inspired Pope Leo XIV? 30:41

4d ago30:41

30:41

St John Henry Newman (1801-90) is perhaps the most influential theologian in the history of English Christianity. Yet, as Damian Thompson discusses with Fr Rod Strange – one of the world’s leading authorities on Newman – he was a divisive figure, though perhaps not in the way one might imagine. One of the founders of the Oxford Movement, Newman was…

1
Americano: Ann Coulter on why Trump wins & why Reform can win 30:34

4d ago30:34

30:34

Freddy Gray is joined by author Ann Coulter in London, to discuss why she backs the rise of Reform UK, how immigration main issue voters care about this election and why she's backing Trump in his second term. Ann Coulter's Substack can be found at: anncoulter.substack.com

1
Spectator Out Loud: Max Jeffery, Cosmo Landesman, Henry Blofeld, David Honigmann & Rachel Johnson 28:14

5d ago28:14

28:14

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Max Jeffery reports from court as the Spectator and Douglas Murray win the defamation cause brought against them by Mohammed Hijab; Cosmo Landesman defends those who stay silent over political issues; Henry Blofeld celebrates what has been a wonderful year for test cricket; David Honigmann reflects on the powder k…

1
Ep. 515 - Anna Hale 54:52

6d ago54:52

54:52

Anna Hale is a musical comedian, and was the winner of the coveted Audience Favourite prize at the 2024 Musical Comedy Awards, as well as placing second overall. She was also a semi-finalist at Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year 2024 and runner-up at Queerovision 2024. She trained and worked as a musical theatre performer, but now si…

1
The Edition: Reform’s motherland, Meloni’s Italian renaissance & the adults learning to swim 45:28

6d ago45:28

45:28

First: Nigel Farage is winning over women Does – or did – Nigel Farage have a woman problem? ‘Around me there’s always been a perception of a laddish culture,’ he tells political editor Tim Shipman. In last year’s election, 58 per cent of Reform voters were men. But, Shipman argues, ‘that has begun to change’. According to More in Common, Reform ha…

1
Coffee House Shots: what Douglas Murray’s court win means for press freedom 9:55

7d ago9:55

9:55

The Spectator and Douglas Murray have comprehensively won a defamation case brought by Mohammed Hegab. Hegab, a YouTuber who posts under the name Mohammed Hijab, claimed that an article about the Leicester riots, written by Douglas Murray and published by The Spectatorin September 2022, caused serious harm to his reputation and led to a loss of ear…

1
Book Club: Nicola Barker 26:34

7d ago26:34

26:34

Sam Leith's guest on this week's Book Club podcast is Nicola Barker, talking about her new book TonyInterruptor -- about how a man who interrupts a free jazz concert becomes a viral sensation on social media. Nicola tells Sam why some of her books are bouts of the flu and some are sneezes, how hard she works on her apparently spontaneous prose, why…

1
Americano: Trump, MAGA and US foreign policy 23:53

8d ago23:53

23:53

Trump, MAGA, and US foreign policy Kate Andrews speaks to Damir Marusic, assignment editor at The Washington Post and co-founder of Wisdom of Crowds. They examine Donald Trump’s surprising foreign policy moves in his second term: his position on the Israel-Gaza conflict, why he's armed Ukraine despite MAGA frustration, and whether his instincts are…

1
Coffee House Shots: why can't we agree on data? 11:13

9d ago11:13

11:13

John O’Neill and Sam McPhail, the Spectator’s research and data team, join economics editor Michael Simmons to re-introduce listeners to the Spectator’s data hub. They take us through the process between the data hub and how their work feeds into the weekly magazine. From crime to migration, which statistics are the most controversial? Why can’t we…

1
Spectator Out Loud: Michael Simmons, Kapil Komireddi, Margaret Mitchell, David Abulafia and Melissa Kite 26:30

9d ago26:30

26:30

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Michael Simmons argues that Trump is winning the tariff war with China; Kapil Komireddi reviews Robert Ivermee’s Glorious Failure: The Forgotten History of French Imperialism in India; Margaret Mitchell watches a Channel 4 documentary on Bonnie Blue and provides a warning to parents; David Abulafia provides his no…

1
Ep. 514 - Rory Alexander 57:01

10d ago57:01

57:01

Rory Alexander is the star of the new Outlander adventure, Blood of My Blood, a prequel to Outlander, a huge international hit series. He plays the young Murtagh, who becomes young James’ constant companion and loyal friend and protector. Blood of My Blood explains how and why that happens, through Murtagh’s relationship with Jamie’s dad. Rory was …

1
Holy Smoke: Massacres in Syria and the Congo 27:25

10d ago27:25

27:25

Massacres in Syria and the Congo: why aren't Western elites, including the Churches, drawing attention to religious persecution? After the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, many people voiced fears that the religious minorities in the country could face increased persecution. This could be at the hands of the new government’s supporters, or simply…

1
Coffee House Shots: the Online Safety Act vs free speech 26:13

11d ago26:13

26:13

Is the Online Safety Act protecting children – or threatening free speech? Michael Simmons hosts John Power, who writes the Spectator's cover piece this week on how the Act has inadvertently created online censorship. Implemented and defended by the current Labour government, it is actually the result of legislation passed by the Conservatives in 2…

1
Americano: Lionel Shriver on Trump’s second term 35:37

12d ago35:37

35:37

Lionel Shriver on Trump’s vendetta, Mamdani’s ‘stupid’ ideas & sentimental immigration Deputy US editor Kate Andrews is joined by author and Spectator columnist Lionel Shriver to assess Donald Trump’s turbulent second term. They discuss the rise of socialism in New York, why fairness is warping immigration policy, and whether Trump’s obsession with…

1
Ep. 513 - Sam Williams 48:09

13d ago48:09

48:09

Sam Williams is an award-winning comedian, writer, and actor who is known for his vivid confessional stand-up. His acclaim on the live circuit includes winning the Komedia New Comedy Award in 2023 and making his TV debut on BBC Three’s New Comedy Awards. He can also be seen on ITV2’s Standup Sketch Show and at the Pleasance Comedy Reserve at the Fr…

1
The Edition: Under CTRL, the Epping migrant protests & why is ‘romantasy’ so popular? 38:32

13d ago38:32

38:32

First: the new era of censorship A year ago, John Power notes, the UK was consumed by race riots precipitated by online rumours about the perpetrator of the Southport atrocity. This summer, there have been protests, but ‘something is different’. With the introduction of the Online Safety Act, ‘the government is exerting far greater control over wha…

1
Book Club: Gary Shteyngart 34:38

14d ago34:38

34:38

Sam Leith is joined for this week's Book Club podcast by Gary Shteyngart — whose new novel Vera, or Faith is set in a near-future America whose politics seems to be less science-fictional by the day. It tells the unexpectedly tender story of a bright but lonely ten-year-old girl contending with her parents' failing marriage and navigating the begin…

1
Americano: what should we make of Trump's trip to the UK? 26:30

15d ago26:30

26:30

Donald Trump is in Scotland, holding court at Turnberry. He's welcomed Sir Keir and Lady Victoria Starmer to his golf course, and had a long discussion with reporters at a wide ranging press conference, that covered Russia, Gaza, and his long running feud with London mayor Sadiq Khan. To unpack it all, Freddy is joined by political editor Tim Shipm…

1
Table Talk: Charlotte Ivers 34:26

15d ago34:26

34:26

Charlotte Ivers is the restaurant critic for the Sunday Times; most recently she reviewed Lupa, Fenix and Home SW15. Charlotte started her career as a media adviser in Theresa May’s Number 10, before she moved into the world of radio. She was a political correspondent at talkRADIO and Wireless Group before joining Times Radio. On the podcast, Charl…

1
Americano: Douglas Murray on conspiracy America, Epstein & the new age of suspicion 30:28

16d ago30:28

30:28

Douglas Murray on conspiracy America, lawfare & the new age of suspicion Donald Trump promised to release the Epstein files – so why hasn't he? Spectator columnist Douglas Murray joins Kate Andrews to discuss the scandal that won't go away, what it says about trust in institutions, and why even Trump’s most loyal supporters are starting to turn on …

1
Ep. 512 - Paul Sinha 1:01:42

17d ago1:01:42

1:01:42

Paul Sinha is perhaps best known as the Sinnerman on the ITV quiz show 'The Chase’. Paul has also been a successful comedian for a number of years. As a club comedian, he has played every major comedy club in the UK, performed in eighteen other countries across the globe, and been three times nominated for Best Club Comedian at the Chortle Awards, …

1
Spectator Out Loud: Ian Thomson, Patrick Kidd, Mike Cormack, Ursula Buchan and Richard Bratby 35:54

18d ago35:54

35:54

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Ian Thomson on what the destruction of the Hotel Oloffson means for Haiti (00:54); Patrick Kidd analyses Donald Trump and the art of golf diplomacy (06:43); Mike Cormack reviews Irvine Welsh’s Men In Love (16:49); Ursula Buchan provides her notes on the Palm House at Kew (20:38); and, Richard Bratby argues that Jo…

1
Coffee House Shots: Katie Lam on immigration, benefits and the border 24:00

18d ago24:00

24:00

Katie Lam became an MP in 2024 after a career in finance. She's also an accomplished scriptwriter, having co-written five musicals. She's one of the most exciting new intake MPs, and she's ruffling feathers in Westminster and beyond. She joins political editor Tim Shipman to discuss everything from her vision for the country to the ECHR, and shares…

1
Americano: did Condé Nast shape the world? 34:33

19d ago34:33

34:33

Did Condé Nast shape the world? In this episode of Americano, Freddy Gray speaks with New York Times writer and debut author Michael Grynbaum about his new book Empire of the Elite, a sweeping history of Condé Nast – the media empire that once dictated American taste, fashion, and celebrity. From Anna Wintour’s carefully staged exit to the vanished…

1
Ep. 511 - Matt Parker 55:10

20d ago55:10

55:10

Matt Parker is a stand-up comedian, #1-best-selling maths author and a YouTuber with over 1.3 million subscribers and over 100 million views. He is a regular on Discovery’s Outrageous Acts of Science and BBC Radio 4’s More or Less and has been heard and see on BBC2’s QI, on BBC Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage and The Museum of Curiosity and he creat…

1
The Edition: soul suckers of private equity, Douglas Murray on Epstein & are literary sequels ‘lazy’? 44:02

20d ago44:02

44:02

The soul suckers of private equity, Douglas Murray on Epstein and MAGA & are literary sequels ‘lazy’? First up: how private equity is ruining Britain Gus Carter writes in the magazine this week about how foreign private equity (PE) is hollowing out Britain – PE now owns everything from a Pret a Manger to a Dorset village, and even the number of chi…

1
Book Club: Frances Wilson 44:01

21d ago44:01

44:01

My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is the biographer Frances Wilson, whose new book Electric Spark: The Enigma of Muriel Spark was recently lauded in these pages as "mesmerising" and "a revolutionary book". She tells me how she immersed herself in the spooky life and peerless art of the great novelist, and why a conventional biographical tre…

1
Coffee House Shots: what's left of the Tories? with Michael Gove and Tim Shipman 15:15

22d ago15:15

15:15

What's left of the Tories? The Commons is closing down for the summer, but Kemi Badenoch has treated us to a shadow cabinet reshuffle. At the beginning of the year, Badenoch’s team were keen to stress stability, dismissing talk of an early reshuffle. But, as so often in politics, events have forced her hand. Ed Argar, the shadow health secretary, h…

1
Americano: is Epstein the new Russiagate? 27:37

22d ago27:37

27:37

Is Epstein the new Russiagate? Freddy Gray is joined by Spectator writer Roger Kimball. They delve into the Epstein claims, the media's handling of the story, Trump’s economic agenda, and whether the MAGA movement is holding strong or starting to splinter.

1
Americano: will AI have rights? 17:51

23d ago17:51

17:51

Will AI have rights? Freddy Gray speaks to Spectator writer Paul Wood about his piece this the latest edition of Spectator World on AI and whether it will soon have rights. This first came about when Paul went to live in Rome and discovered some of the work the Vatican has been doing in AI.

1
Ep. 510 - James Cosmo 47:36

24d ago47:36

47:36

James Cosmo is an iconic Scottish actor who has starred in over 130 Hollywood movies as well as global classic TV productions. His films include Braveheart, Trainspotting, Troy, The Chronicles of Narnia, Ben Hur and The Last King of Scotland. On television, he’s known to millions as Jeor Mormont in Game of Thrones, and has appeared in hit series li…

1
Spectator Out Loud: Mark Mason, Mary Wakefield, Matthew Parris and Philip Patrick 25:05

24d ago25:05

25:05

On this week’s Spectator Out Loud: Mark Mason reminisces about old English bank notes (00:33), Philip Patrick wonders whether AI will replace politicians in Japan (04:04), Matthew Parris wonders why you would ever trust a travel writer (10:34) and Mary Wakefield looks at the weird world of cults (17:42).…

1
Coffee House Shots Live: are the Tories toast? 1:13:02

25d ago1:13:02

1:13:02

The strange death of Tory England has been predicted before. But never has the ‘natural party of government’ faced a greater challenge to survive. The Conservatives are facing attacks on all fronts from Labour, the Liberal Democrats and Reform UK. Kemi Badenoch’s six-month anniversary as leader was marked by the loss of nearly 700 councillors, with…

1
Americano: Trump – the conventional foreign policy President? 27:49

26d ago27:49

27:49

Trump has said he's "very, very unhappy" with Russia, and threatened severe tariffs against them if there's no deal on Ukraine within 50 days. He's also sending more weapons to Ukraine in coordination with NATO. What's behind his change of heart on foreign policy, and how's his MAGA base responding? Freddy Gray is joined by deputy US editor Kate An…

1
Ep. 509 - Steve Blacknell 1:05:20

27d ago1:05:20

1:05:20

Steve Blacknell dated Kate Bush and flew on Concorde with Phil Collins from London to Philadelphia during Live Aid—just two highlights from a life lived at full volume. A former BBC presenter and MTV VJ, Steve introduced New Order on Riverside, hosted Breakfast Time and Radio1’s In Concert, and interviewed everyone from Lemmy to David Cassidy (in a…

1
The Edition: how the Bank broke Britain, Zelensky’s choice & the joys of mudlarking 49:07

28d ago49:07

49:07

First up: how the Bank of England wrecked the economy Britain’s economy is teetering on the brink of a deep fiscal hole, created by billions of pounds of unfunded spending – never-ending health promises, a spiralling welfare bill and a triple lock on the state pension, which will cost three times as much as originally estimated. Although politician…

1
The Book Club: Irvine Welsh on the new Trainspotting sequel 34:18

29d ago34:18

34:18

My guest this week is Irvine Welsh – who, three decades after his era-defining hit Trainspotting, returns with a direct sequel, Men In Love. Irvine tells me what Sick Boy, Renton, Spud and Begbie mean to him, why his new book hopes to encourage a new generation to discover Romantic verse and shagging, and why MDMA deserves more credit for the Good …

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Quentin Mitchell Podcasts

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